National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast 2023
The Power of Forgiveness in Public Life
The 2023 National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast will take place on Tuesday 27 June, with the main Prayer Breakfast programme starting at 7:30am and finishing at 9:00am. There is then a full programme of seminars, which take place between 9:15am and 10:15am, as well as the option of going on a tour of the Palace of Westminster. The chair of the Breakfast is Lord Curry of Kirkharle. Our main speaker is Dr Amy Orr-Ewing, honorary lecturer at the University of Aberdeen School of Divinity, who will address the theme of ‘The Power of Forgiveness in Public Life’. The physical event will also be livestreamed.
After the main breakfast, we are delighted to offer a programme of seminars, as well as a dedicated event for church leaders, hosted by principal partner Bible Society: Forgiveness, Reconciliation and the Church.
Please find an outline of the full programme below:
Tuesday 27 June
6:15am – Doors open
7:30am – Main Prayer Breakfast programme begins in Westminster Hall
9:00am – End of main Prayer Breakfast programme
9:15am – Seminars and tour:
Poverty local and global: how can the churches champion justice? – Christian Aid
The global cost of living crisis, hunger, climate change, the war in Ukraine and the pandemic are disproportionately impacting the UK and the world’s poorest people. This panel will explore the churches’ role in all of this – how they can champion justice not just at a local level, but at a global level as well. Alongside representatives from the worlds of faith and politics, we will explore how churches can effectively advocate to their MPs and the UK government on tackling the issues of poverty, hunger and climate change – both at home and abroad.
The F-Factor: the role of forgiveness in politics, media, and the world of work – London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)
How does forgiveness relate to the mucky business of politics, the media, and the world of work? Where does accountability fit in? Join LICC’s CEO Paul Woolley, Jonathan Aitken, Tim Farron MP, Mark Greene, and Baroness Philippa Stroud to discuss the relationship between this gospel value and everyday life and work. Trigger warning: This seminar could seriously change the way you live your life.
Communicating the relevance of Christ to Gen Z – OCCA
Defined as digital natives with a penchant for social justice, Gen Z is a generation facing unique circumstances. The noise of social media, the call of celebrity culture and the relentless search for identity presses hard upon the lives of today’s youth. How is Christ relevant to their experience? By living out our apprenticeship to Jesus, one marked by counter-cultural biblical rhythms, we can be the non-anxious presence that an anxious generation so desperately needs. Our speakers will be Clare Williams and Alanzo Paul, who are co-leaders of our youth apologetics programme: Reboot.
Digital disruption and the future of the Church – Premier
The digital revolution has disrupted almost every part of life, be it entertainment, shopping, banking, travel, work or even how people find love. With church attendance continuing to fall and less than half the population now describing themselves as Christian, how should the Church respond? Is digital disruption a negative thing for Christianity? Or is it time for a bold reimagining of what faith looks like in a digital first culture? Where are the threats and where are the signs of hope? Join us as we explore this crucial moment in the history of the Church.
Speaker: Kevin Bennett, Deputy CEO of Premier Christian Communications
Father forgive them: praying for persecutors of Christians in East Asia – Release International
It is estimated that there are over 100 million Christians in East Asia, including significant numbers in China, and growing underground churches in North Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Yet in all those places, there is suffering and persecution on an alarming scale. Release International works with churches and partners in all these countries to show love and support to those in need. At our seminar we will be calling for prayer for those who perpetrate cruelty and violence against Christian brothers and sisters. Together we will petition the Lord to bless our persecuted brothers and sisters and unite the global church, east and west, in the one body of Christ Jesus, to the glory of God. Our special guest speakers are Bob Fu, President of China Aid and Eric Foley, CEO of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. The seminar will be hosted by Release International’s Chair of Trustees David Armond CBE, QPM.
Where do we go from here? A conversation about the role of churches in responding to the cost of living crisis – The Trussell Trust
As the cost of living crisis continues, churches up and down the UK have responded to the needs of their communities in a variety of ways. ‘Hunger in the UK’ is a major new study due to be published by the Trussell Trust this year. It will provide new evidence about the links between social isolation, community support and poverty. This panel event is an opportunity to hear more about the research, explore how churches can build on their experience of providing support during times of crisis, and involve people with lived experience of poverty in the church’s ministry.
A tour of the Palace of Westminster – led by a Parliamentary Guide
Additional events
Evensong and Tour of Westminster Abbey: 5.00pm, Monday 26 June
For those arriving in London the night before, we are delighted to offer the opportunity to attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey, followed by a tour.
Forgiveness, Reconciliation and the Church – Bible Society
11:00am-12.30pm (with refreshments from 10:30am), Tuesday 27 June (Conference Hall, Mothers’ Union, Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3RB)
Join the Bible Society team with keynote speaker Dr Amy Orr-Ewing to explore ‘Forgiveness, Reconciliation and the Church’. For this hugely important subject, Amy will give a biblical reflection with particular focus on the significance of Jesus’ teaching for the family of faith. Recognising our differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds, we will hear voices from minority communities in this country as well as those involved in Bible ministry overseas. With presentations, interviews and panel discussions, together we will wrestle with themes of justice, the ongoing nature of forgiveness and the implications for the wider witness of the Christian faith.