After a turbulent year, Church leaders to see in 2021 with week of prayer

Declaration

After a turbulent 2020, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Karen Gibson, of Kingdom Choir, will be teaming up to lead a special week of prayer to see in the New Year.

'Declaration' is the initiative of Tearfund and will air on Christian TV channel TBN from 3 to 9 January 2021. 

Other special guests at Declaration include Bishop John Francis, founder of Ruach City Church, 24/7 Prayer co-founder Pete Greig, and Pastor Agu Irukwu, Chair of RCCG UK, who will join Gibson and Archbishop Justin Welby in a televised discussion about race. 

Pastor Irukwu said: "I'm looking forward to being part of a round table debate with the Archbishop and others to explore justice, race and healing.

"I hope all our communities join us for this week of prayer and begin the year renewed and reawakened."

Archbishop Welby said the events of 2020 had brought race issues to the fore. 

"This year longstanding racial injustice has been brought again to our attention as a sin demanding our repentance and urgent action," he said. 

"I'm honoured to be supporting Declaration's week of prayer and I'm looking forward to a courageous discussion exploring how we as the Church can become more deeply transformed into a truly Jesus-shaped community."

'Declaration' coincides with what is traditionally significant time in the black majority Church, when churches would normally come together to ring in the New Year with prayer, worship and celebration followed by a week of corporate prayer and fasting.

Seth Pinnock, head of African and Caribbean engagement at Tearfund said: "I can see no better way to start 2021 than by taking part in Declaration week to give your new year a head start.

"My hope is as people gather in their living rooms over the seven days they'll have something of an upper room encounter, transformed by what they've experienced. Prayer is powerful, prayer changes things."

Declaration will air on TBN at 8-9pm from 3 to 9 January. Each day will have a different theme, from 'Justice and Restoration', to 'Women' and 'Youth'. 

For more information visit https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/declaration

News
Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?
Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?

20 April is the feast day of Zacchaeus of Jericho. We all know the account of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus. However, it turns out not to have been a sycamore tree at all. This is the story …

Joseph Duggar of '19 Kids and Counting' arrested for child molestation
Joseph Duggar of '19 Kids and Counting' arrested for child molestation

Former “19 Kids and Counting” star Joseph Duggar, whose older brother Josh Duggar is currently serving time in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Bangladesh Christian leaders express cautious hope under new government
Bangladesh Christian leaders express cautious hope under new government

Bangladesh’s new government has prompted cautious optimism among Christian leaders, who say recent political changes offer a potential opening for greater religious freedom even as concerns remain over security, justice and political pressure.

Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?
Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?

It will be interesting to see if the Scottish government goes down the route of investing in quality palliative care, or whether Liam McArthur's defeated assisted suicide bill is simply resurrected in another form.