Art Music and Culture: 15 December-21 December

1. The Queen’s speech took place in the House of Lords on Thursday. The measures announced included a commitment on the health service's funding to be enshrined in law, with an extra £33.9bn per year being provided by 2023/24. There are also plans for an Australian-style points-based immigration system from 1 January 2021. Hospital car parking charges “will be removed for those in greatest need” and there are plans for a 50% business rate discount for small firms. This will include independent cinemas, music venues and pubs.

Pray that these and other measures introduced by the new government will benefit the whole of the UK. Pray that Brexit discussions do not distract from the government’s domestic agenda.

2. Donald Trump has become only the third American president in history to be impeached. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, accused Mr Trump of being an “ongoing threat” to US security. The House voted on two charges; that the President abused his power and that he had obstructed Congress. Impeachment does not trigger his removal, however. The Senate will decide that when it holds a trial in January. As the Republicans have a majority there, Mr Trump is unlikely to be removed from power.

Pray for Democrat and Republican politicians to respect each other’s points of view. Pray that Mr Trump will act wisely during 2020 and in the run-up to the presidential elections.

3. Stephen Cottrell, the current Bishop of Chelmsford, will become the 98th Archbishop of York and the Church of England’s second most senior clergyman. The married father of three said he was “humbled and excited at the prospect” of becoming the new Archbishop of York. He will take up his new role when Dr John Sentamu retires on 7th June 2020. Referring to the new appointment, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said; Bishop Cottrell “writes beautifully, thinks deeply and communicates superbly.”

Pray for Stephen Cottrell and his family. Pray that he will be effective in this new role in sharing the gospel and bringing hope and unity to the nation.

4. In the three months to October, unemployment in the UK fell to its lowest level since January 1975. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show the number of people out of work fell by 13,000 to 1.281 million. In addition, the employment rate rose to an all-time high with an increase of 24,000. This takes the number of people in work up to a total of 32.8 million. Pay is still increasing in real terms as well, but its growth rate has slowed in the last few months.

Give thanks that unemployment in the UK continues to fall. Pray that, post-Brexit, the rate of unemployment remains low and that pay continues to increase in real terms.

5. Here at the Nationwide Christian Trust, our first Ladies Day for 2020 is on 30 January. Reona Joly will be speaking on the subject of ‘The Bible, the World’s Bestseller.’ Marilyn Baker and Tracy Williamson will be speaking on ‘From The Inside Out’ at our Ladies Day on 27th February. New volunteers for our Prayer Line are always welcome. Please contact us if you would like more information, or to become part of this ministry.

Please pray that God will bless these events and help to empower all who attend in their walk of faith. Pray that it will be the start of a successful year for NCT with lives changed and souls won for Christ.