Vogue’s disturbing ‘fashion’ images of girl aged ten
A top fashion magazine has sparked outrage by publishing images of a ten-year old girl wearing heavy make-up and posing like an adult model. Paris Vogue’s disturbing images of child model Thylane Blondeau have brought strong criticism from parents’ groups and politicians. In a 15-page spread in the December/January issue, she is wearing heavy make-up and gold stilettos. Last week the Mothers’ Union issued strong criticism of the pictures. ‘We have grave concerns about the modelling agency which clearly does not know if it represents a child or an adult,’ it said. ‘Photo shoots requiring her, a ten-year-old-girl, to dress in full make-up, teetering heels and a dress with a cleavage cut to the waist across her prepubescent body deny Miss Blondeau the right to be the child she is.’ A summit called by Prime Minister David Cameron and the Mothers’ Union to address the sexualisation of children in advertising and the media will be held in October.
Pray: for an end to the sexualisation of children by the fashion industry and in the media. (Ps.34:11)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/vogues-disturbing-fashion-images-of-girl-aged-ten/
Call to Prayer for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA), May 14-18, 2012
Please keep praying for the WPA! Your prayer support will be all-important to the planning of this event which is intended to be a “new paradigm” for an international congress—carried out Acts 13-style—incorporating listening to God, united prayer, and strategic implementation of world-impacting action that proceeds out of that encounter with the Lord and one another.
Riots: Churches supporting with prayer and practical assistance
The recent riots spread across a number of major cities in England, including many parts of London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol. The police struggled to respond to fast-moving and rapidly changing events. Most of the looting and disorder has been in economically deprived parts of the country, and among young people. The General Director of the Evangelical Alliance has described the rioting, looting and vandalism of the last few days as ‘shocking and unacceptable’. He added that churches were uniting and taking ‘immediate action’ to provide relief, support and care to victims of the riots. ’Christians are present on the street and participating in the clear-up by offering encouragement and support to the emergency services and their neighbours while praying for peace,’ he said. After four days of riots the Prime Minister has said ‘We needed a fightback and a fightback is under way.’
Pray: against the work of the enemy that has corrupted the minds of the young and pray for the restoration of order, for peace and for safety and understanding. (Job.28:28)
Lottery money given for Buddhist healing therapies
The National Lottery has given £205,000 to fund a two year research project which will make spiritual ‘healing therapies’ available on the NHS. The project, led by charity Fresh Winds, is designed to identify the effectiveness of a Buddhist ‘healing’ technique (called Reiki) by testing the method on 200 patients suffering from bowel disorders at NHS Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield. The National Lottery will brief the NHS on the research findings next year ‘to inform their decision whether to introduce elements of complementary therapy into the management of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.’ The controversial therapy, which has been termed by critics as another form of ‘voodoo’ involves the running of hands over the patient’s body (without touching) to radiate ‘healing energy’ which allegedly works ‘like a gentle set of jump leads’ and relieves symptoms of pain.
Pray: that the healing power of the Holy Spirit would be recognised as superior to alternative therapies. (Act.10:38: Mt.10:1)
