A pro-Israel prime minister
Let us give thanks that Prime Minister Theresa May has made no bones about the fact that she is a keen supporter and ally of Israel, which she called ‘a remarkable country’. In a firm speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel, our Prime Minister described Israel as ‘a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise, a thriving democracy, and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages.’ She talked about the shared values and positive relationship between Israel and Britain, emphasising her hopes for an even stronger friendship between the two countries post-Brexit. Crucially, in the face of parliamentary and civic attempts to derail the 2017 Balfour Centenary celebrations and force Britain to apologise for her role in creating the Jewish homeland, the PM staunchly defended the document as ‘one of the most important letters in history, which demonstrates Britain's vital role in creating a homeland for the Jewish people.’
Seasonal potential threats
The threat of a terrorist attack in the British Isles remains high, and more police have been deployed in sensitive areas after the Berlin truck massacre. Many of us are boarding planes and ferries to visit family and friends, shopping, and singing carols in prominent places - all soft terror targets. Please pray for God’s protection over all ‘gateways’ into this country: airports and aircraft, cruise liners, ferries and ports; railway stations and peak train journeys; motorways and tunnels (especially the Eurotunnel); places where large crowds gather such as sport stadiums, shopping centres, Christmas markets, theatres and concert halls; schools and colleges; and all churches. We can pray for God’s plans for peace, mercy and hope to blot out every plan and purpose of terror, death or destruction. May the British Isles be safe under God’s authority and canopy of prayer over Christmas and into 2017. See also
Prince Harry 'wants to make a difference'
In a TV programme broadcast last Monday Prince Harry said it was ‘fun to be good and boring to be bad’. And ‘If you're me, if you're your Average Joe, whoever you are, if you can't affect politics and change the big things in the world, then just do whatever you can do. Whether it's in your local community, your village, your local church, walking down the street, opening a door for an old lady, helping them cross the road. Whatever it is, just do good. Why wouldn't you?’ Prince Harry said he no longer struggles with his royal role and wants to ‘make something’ of his life. He made these comments while speaking in a documentary about his charity work in Lesotho.
‘But there was no room for them at the inn’
This Christmas please pray for those sleeping rough or in temporary B&B accommodation, and ask God to work through society to bring about more housing and adequate places for the vulnerable to settle into. Pray for the unemployed, and especially for homeless and vulnerable people selling the ‘Big Issue’ magazine on street corners. One vendor said, ‘It’s great when people stop and say hello, it’s nice to feel part of the community and feel that people actually care.’ May God’s mercy flow so that they will soon be housed adequately in a place they can call their own. Give thanks for the many churches and charities providing shelter, warmth and food for ‘rough sleepers’ over the winter; pray God’s blessing on everyone involved, and for the provision of every resource they need.
