Teenage girls regret having alcohol-fuelled sex
Binge drinking is leading many teenage girls to engage in risky sexual behaviour which they later come to regret, a new report has warned. Researchers have revealed that more than one in five 15 and 16-year-old girls who drink at least once a week has had drunken sex which they have later regretted. The report also revealed that more than 15 per cent of boys have similar regrets. The report, compiled by the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University, said: ‘Those binge drinking three or more times a week were over five times more likely than non-binge drinkers to have had sex they regretted following alcohol’. The report, which examined the drinking habits of 15 and 16-year-olds in North West England, was based on questionnaires filled in by nearly 10,000 teenagers.
Pray: that ways would be found to change the habits of our young people. (Ps.14:3)
Christians plan Day of Prayer and protest over arms trade
Christian communities throughout the UK are expected to take part in a Day of Prayer in the week that one of the world's largest arms fairs opens in London. The Day of Prayer, on Sunday 11 September, will take place on the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers and will enable Christians to reflect on the legacy of that day: war, inter-community tension, and an increasingly militarised approach to human security. The Day of Prayer is organised by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Christian Network, a non-denominational group of Christians opposed to the arms trade. The Christian Network has produced a Day of Prayer Pack with suggestions for worship, including prayers, Bible readings, hymns and service sheets, plus background briefings on arms fairs and the UK's role in the arms trade. ‘Christian peace activists play a vital role in CAAT's work,’ said Anne-Marie O'Reilly, CAAT's Outreach Co-ordinator.
Pray: that Christians would unite against the evil of this trade and seek a Godly solution. (Mic.4:3)
Young Christians texting their faith
There's hardly a young person out there without a mobile phone and the HOPE movement is tapping into their technological dexterity with a new campaign encouraging young people to text about their faith. Textify was recently launched by Hope Revolution, the youth arm of HOPE, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God's Festival of Life in Manchester. As part of the campaign, hundreds of young people will use their mobile phones and social networks to begin conversations about Jesus. The campaign takes 1 Peter 3:15 as its inspiration, encouraging young people to use Textify as a way to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’. Textify challenges young Christians to spend a week praying for three friends and then text them each a question or 'God-thought' as a conversation starter.
Pray: that the message of the Gospel would be spread in every way possible. (Ac.15:31)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/young.christians.texting.their.faith/28432.htm
Spain: World youth day
Around a million young Catholics from all around the world are streaming into Madrid for five days of prayers, processions and learning. World Youth Day opened Tuesday night with a multilingual Mass in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles. The youths were welcomed by the Archbishop of Madrid who told them they were part of the generation of Pope Benedict XVI. He said, ‘Your place in life has its own characteristics. Your problems and circumstances have changed. Don’t be afraid of being a saint, let Christ live in your heart. Respond to Him with a ‘yes’ that’s full of excitement and generosity of life.’ President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity said, ‘You have come to say aloud to the whole world, and in particular to Europe which is showing signs of being very lost, your unwavering ‘yes’. Yes, faith is possible,’
Pray: for the 4,000 pilgrims to rediscover and strengthen their faith and then be encouragers to their brothers and sisters across Europe. (Ps.24:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/world.youth.day.gets.underway.in.madrid/28451.htm
