A selection of recent happenings to aid your prayers.
Society & Politics
- Church saves NHS over £3 billion annually: Churches and Christian groups positively impact society in many ways, taking pressure off the overstretched health service, a new study shows. Read more here.
- Anti-Semitic attacks on Oxford Jewish student centre: After two incidents at the same centre last week involving white powder, racist notes and a fire, the police have appealed for information. Read more here.
- Anti-LGBT teachers threatened with Ofsted fail: Teachers in independent schools who express disagreement with same-sex marriage will automatically be failed by Ofsted, under new Government proposals. Read more here and take part in the consultation here (ends 7 June). Meanwhile, children as young as four in one Cambridge school are being told to inform on friends who use the ‘wrong’ gender pronouns.
- Primark launches gay pride range: The fashion chain has launched a range of ‘Pride-ready’ merchandise, with a percentage of profits going to Stonewall. Read more here.
Church Issues
- Lichfield bishops strive to recruit LGBT clergy: New guidance from the diocese encourages LGBT+ people to feel welcome in applying for positions of leadership within the CofE, as part of a new diversity drive. Read more here.
- First ‘Bible-based play centre’ opens: The UK’s first Bible-themed children’s play centre has opened near Manchester, attracting more than 2,000 visitors within its first month. Read more here.
World Scene
- Trump signs ‘right to try’ act: The President has made good on another campaign promise, signing into law a statute to make it easier for terminally ill patients to try experimental treatments.
- US rebukes WHO for abortion promotion: The US put the World Health Organization on notice this week for its global promotion of abortion, saying that abortion is not an international human right. Read more here.
- Portugal rejects assisted suicide – for now: The Portuguese Parliament narrowly rejected on Tuesday a bill that would have legalised voluntary euthanasia. However, the debate looks set to continue. Read more here.
Israel & Middle East
- Worst Gaza rocket volley since 2014: 180 rockets and mortars fired into Israel from Gaza on Tuesday – the most intense volley for years - prompted international outcry (though the UN failed to condemn the activity). Read a useful summary of how events unfolded here. Commentators noted the involvement of Iranian-made missiles. One of the rockets damaged three power lines into the Strip, leaving tens of thousands of Palestinians without electricity.
- Date unveiled for Prince William’s visit to Israel: The Duke of Cambridge will travel to Jordan, then to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, then to Ramallah, then back to Jerusalem, in a visit spanning Sunday 24 to Thursday 28 June. Read more here.
Upcoming Events
- Moedim meeting (London): 15 June, 6:30-9:30pm, All Soul's Clubhouse, London. Join Steve Maltz and Richard Teideman for their 'Head of the Month' Hebraic roots meeting. Click here to find out more.
Recommended Sources
At Prophecy Today UK we are aware that the world is moving very quickly and it is difficult to keep up with all the latest developments – especially when the material circulated by our mainstream media is increasingly far from reality and definitely not devoted to a biblical perspective!
Though we are not a news service, we want to help keep you informed by passing on updates and reports as we are led. This will be a selective, not an exhaustive, round-up, which we hope will be helpful for your prayers. Click here to browse our News archive.
We also recommend the following news services for regular updates from a Christian perspective:
- Christian Concern (UK)
- Christian Institute (UK)
- JNN News (Barry and Batya Segal, Israel)
- Worthy News (Israel)
- Family Watch International
- Barnabas Fund
- Kehila News (Israel)
