Hello and welcome to the Parliamentary prayer update, my name is Susannah Clark and I work as a researcher for the Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs Department.
15 May 2008
London Mayoral Hustings Event
On April 23rd the Evangelical Alliance and Premier Christian Radio sponsored a Hustings event for the London Mayoral Candidates kindly hosted by St Martin-in-the Fields Church.
The event was a great success, with candidates Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson, Brian Paddick and Alan Craig all attending. All candidates expressed support for the work of faith communities in London.
As I’m sure you know, May 1st saw Boris Johnson, the Conservative Candidate, elected and on Sunday 11th May, Boris attended the Global Day of Prayer at Milwall Stadium, a great indication that he really does intend to work positively with faith communities.
Please pray for Boris as he starts this challenging new role as Mayor of London. At the Global Day of Prayer Boris asked the 20,000 people present to pray for all those holding elective offices in government and for the issues of gun and knife crime.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
Secondly, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill went before the House of Commons last week.
For the first time since 1990, the Bill provided MPs with an opportunity to vote on the issue of abortion. MPs voted to lower the abortion limit to 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 weeks, 20 weeks and 22 weeks. Sadly none of these amendments were passed.
Please pray: For those who are continuing to lobby and campaign on this important issue. Pray that their voice and their views would be heard. Please pray too for all those who work with women facing a crisis pregnancy, that they would be able to offer them love, compassion and support.
Act: You can still write to your MP expressing your views about this Bill. Alive and Kicking have details of how to lobby your MP and examples of letters on their website at: http://www.aliveandkickingcampaign.org/
You can also find out on the Alive and Kicking website how your MP has voted on these issues.
The Bill also allowed for the creation of “saviour siblings,” the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for medical research and saw the removal for “the need for a Father” to be considered in IVF treatment.
Please pray: That Christian views would continue to be heard on these issues and that the role of Father’s would be recognised as crucial in a child’s upbringing. Please pray too that scientific research would be carried out in ethical ways.
Lillian Ladele
You may have heard of the case of Lillian Ladele, a registrar who is refusing to officiate at civil partnership ceremonies on the grounds that it is incompatible with her Christian principles. This has brought her into conflict with Islington Council, in North London and she is taking her case to an employment tribunal claiming “discrimination or victimisation on the grounds of religion or belief.”
This could prove to be a landmark case and could pave the way for other similar cases. The outcome of the case is not yet known but we will continue to monitor it closely.
Please pray: For the right to freedom of expression concerning religion and belief to be upheld in this country and to be allowed to operate in the public sphere.
An Agenda for Change
Finally, Joel Edwards is making a final tour as General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, connecting with Alliance members to explain and explore the contents of his new book An Agenda for Change.
In the book, Joel issues a call for unity amongst evangelicals and argues that Biblical witness is not called to tip-toe through the 21st century, but to transform society by presenting Christ credibly to the culture. He sets out a new vision for evangelicalism, reclaiming the idea that evangelicals are a 'good news' people called to a long term vision for spiritual and social change.
Please pray: For Joel as he tours the UK in his final months as General Director, pray that churches and individuals might be inspired to become the change they want in society
Act: for details of An Agenda for Change tour event near you please log onto: www.anagendaforchange.com
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.
