Hello and welcome to the Parliamentary prayer update, my name is Daniel Webster and I work for the Evangelical Alliance in their public affairs team.
15 July 2008
Human Fertility and Embryology Bill
The Human Fertility and Embryology Bill was due to receive its Third Reading yesterday. However, the parliamentary timetable has been revised and the vote will now take place in the autumn.
Many amendments have already been proposed, these raised the possibility that abortion would be available with virtually no restrictions up to 24 weeks and would replace the need for two doctors’ authorisation with only one nurse or doctor.
A further amendment could potentially limit the freedom to give pregnant women pre abortion counselling.
Please pray: that over the summer there is an opportunity for positive amendments to be proposed.
Pray for those engaged in campaigning on this issue, that they will have productive meetings that will lead to positive outcomes.
Pray that amendments are withdrawn that would liberalise the abortion laws or prevent the freedom of individuals and groups to offer advice and counselling to pregnant women.
Please also take the opportunity allowed by this delay to write to your MP and raise you concerns about this bill.
Zimbabwe
After an election campaign characterised by intimidation and violence Robert Mugabe won the second round of Zimbabwe’s presidential election. This was a formality as the opposition’s candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, pulled out a couple of days before the election after increased levels of violence towards his supporters.
The dire situation is made worse by the world food shortage and the Zimbabwe government’s restrictions on outside aid organisations.
Christian leaders are also facing persecution as meetings are attended by ZANU-PF members to ensure that sermons are not ‘off-message’.
Please Pray: For an end to the political violence and intimidation.
Pray for peace, justice and prosperity to come to this land, and healing for this troubled people.
Pray also for religious freedom to preach the gospel and stand up against injustice.
Victory for Christian Registrar
You may have heard that Lillian Ladele won her case for discrimination last Thursday. Miss Ladele had left her job as a wedding registrar after she was pressurised by her employer, Islington Council, to carry out same-sex civil partnership ceremonies. This is despite making clear her unwillingness to do so because of her Christian faith.
We give thanks for this victory, as it underlines the need for freedom of religious conscience to be protected by law.
Please pray that this will give Christians the legal protection to ensure that their beliefs are taken fully into account and that employers respect this when considering policy and action.
Parliament rises for the summer recess on the 22nd July.
Please pray for MPs as they concentrate on work in their constituencies. Pray that they have time to rest over the summer and are able to spend time with their families.
Further Prayer and Action
For further insights on these and other issues The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department produces a monthly parliamentary magazine, PQ, and a monthly ‘Prayer and Campaigns’ action and prayer sheet. Both of these are available on our website www.eauk.org along with topical political briefing material. If you have any questions please e-mail the public affairs team at:- pub-aff@eauk.org.
