‘Child in the Midst’ - 5 - 6th June
Viva has facilitated the World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk since 1995. The scale of this weekend has grown over the years and now, as we partner with many prayer ministries and networks, millions of people join us each year to pray for and with vulnerable children. We come together to pray that children all around the world would know the love of Jesus in their everyday lives, and be able to claim for themselves God's incredible offer of abundant life. We also hope that, helped by our prayers, more people will be mobilized to manifest the love of God to this generation. Please consider praying with us over the weekend and perhaps even holding an event of your own. The World Weekend of Prayer - Child in the Midst booklet has many imaginative ideas for interactive intercession and different ways of engaging people in prayer. You can download it here:
Pray: for all children at risk and that many would be inspired to reach out with God’s love for this generation. (1Jn.3:1)
More: http://www.transformations-ireland.org/news/2010/05/child-in-the-midst.php
The Not Dead Yet UK ‘resistance’ campaign
The campaign kicks off with the launch of a charter that will be sent to all MPs, asking them to support the campaign’s aims and commit to fighting for disabled and terminally ill constituents. Campaigners point out that some people view disabled people’s lives as not worth living. High profile cases of disabled people who want the law changed to make assisted suicide easier are the exception rather than the rule, they say. Baroness Jane Campbell of Surbiton, convenor for Not Dead Yet UK, pointed out that the likelihood of cuts in services across the country will create additional challenges for disabled people. She said: ‘There have been two attempts to weaken assisted dying legislation in the past four years, with further discussions taking place in the Scottish parliament now. We face a bleak situation if calls for assisted suicide to be lawful are renewed whilst vital services are being withdrawn or denied.’
Pray: that MPs will oppose any change to the current law and that disabled and terminally ill people should have the same legal protection as everyone else. (Ac.17:24-26)
Police Service NI urges politicians to calm marching season tension
Politicians should do more to calm tensions during the marching season, the police have said. It cost almost £3m to police parades last summer and the bill could be even higher this year. There are fears dissident republicans may try to cause trouble in some areas, like the Ardoyne in north Belfast. Police sources told the BBC, politicians should work harder to encourage the resolution of contentious parades and reduce the likelihood of confrontation. While they are hoping for the best, they have to prepare for the worst, which means large numbers of officers and equipment have to be deployed. The PSNI said it has the resources needed, but also said politicians should do more to defuse tensions. Senior sources have told the BBC they would like politicians in potential trouble spots like north and west Belfast, Portadown and Rasharkin, to be more proactive.
Pray: for a peaceful and tolerant approach to the marching season encouraged by local politicians. (2Jn.6)
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10211009.stm
Cumbria deaths will be 'incomprehensible' to community
For the people of west Cumbria, the events of this week will be almost impossible to comprehend. In this part of north west England, shootings are rare and major crime is almost unheard of. But in the past nine months, the communities here have endured a succession of severe incidents, natural and man-made. People are still homeless from last year's floods.The Keswick school bus crash 10 days ago in which three people died is still recent and raw. But the shootings will eclipse those, both in terms of violence and the shock that will reverberate throughout the remote area where these killings took place.
Pray: for all the people involved with this and other tragedies that God would minister to them in their need. (Rev.22:17)
