3 minute read
Team Talk
YOUR prayers are requested for Vince, who is in prison.
The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances, for publication. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.
j
Becoming a Christian
There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God
Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International
’ talk‘ Team talk TEAM TALK Twitter is out for a change
Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters
ONCE upon a time, tweeting was just for the birds. Over the past 16 years, however, millions of humans have been dubbed tweeters after signing up to the microblogging social media site Twitter, which has been making headlines since it was purchased by Elon Musk.
The world’s wealthiest man – the businessman who also created the Tesla car brand – has often been under scrutiny in the media for his way of working, which can be seen as ruthless.
Some Twitter users fear that, under his direction, the popular app will become unsafe and hostile. After all, they say, he has allowed some controversial figures who had been banned to return. Users have also I have made expressed worries that the changes he is rumoured to be planning – for example, the introduction of a connections subscription fee – will bring about the end of Twitter and developed as they know it. It’s clear that the prospect is upsetting for many friendships people. Twitter has been a place where they have built community through shared experiences, where cultural and creative exchanges have happened and where they gained career opportunities. Fearing its deterioration, a number of users, including celebrities Whoopi Goldberg and Stephen Fry, have already said their goodbyes and left the app.
Like others, I have made connections on Twitter and, through interactions over common interests, I have gone on to develop friendships offline with some fellow tweeters. I don’t know the extent of the changes that are going to take place under Elon Musk, but I do know that the sense of uncertainty people are feeling is real.
Uncertainty is what many people, with or without Twitter, have been grappling with acutely over the past two years. When we look at the topics that often crop up in tweets – work, the economy, the government, our health – it seems that there isn’t much that we’ve been able to have confidence in.
But through such times, I have been reminded that, however unstable everything else appears, I can always rely on God. The Bible says that he doesn’t change. So I can be certain that, living under his direction, I will always experience his love and care for me.
To receive basic reading about Christianity and information about The Salvation Army, complete this coupon and send it to
a
