"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain."
1 Chronicles 4:10

All summer this prayer has been featuring in the spiritual life of our fellowship and yesterday, at our committee meeting, Ian Drysdale took a devotional from this Prayer of Jabez. A little known character in the middle of a long list of names, but what a prayer and the more I read it the more it should be the prayer of every Christian.

As we begin a new year, let us take this prayer and pray it daily as we go into school and let God use us to spread His Kingdom in our schools. Be assured, there are many other kingdoms looking for our young people and in many cases we sit back and do nothing. The time has come for Christians to stand up for what they believe and put forth the Truth of God's Word.

This autumn will see the publication of various consultative documents and education, as we know it could be under threat. That is why we have asked Ian Drysdale to give the guest lecture this year on Saturday 6th October on the subject, 'Standing Firm on a Shifting Foundation.'

Those of you who have been following the letters in the Belfast Telegraph will know that the R.E. syllabus is up for review and there are many who would like to change it. This is just one area where we need to be vigilant and our conference in October should help you to be more aware of the issues. We need to respond, not only as an organisation, but also as individuals, so that the Christian voice is heard and continues to be heard. We do hope that you will plan to attend and bring along as many Christian friends as possible.