Welby made this statement to over 5,000 Christians across various denominations and traditions gathered at a Pentecost event marking the culmination of "Thy Kingdom Come", a 10-day prayer initiative.

"We're all different, we look different, we have different cultures and backgrounds and yet, in Jesus, we're brought to be one," he said.

"What makes it possible for people with such differences to be in one church, to minister to so many different people outside the church, to show them the love of Jesus and to speak of Jesus? The Holy Spirit of God, nothing else.

"We can say what we like but we can't do very much in the human heart, only the Spirit speaks from heart to heart."

He then spoke of the UK's politicians who are "struggling" and "suffering" as they try to find agreement on Brexit.

"We're so contemptuous of them but they are trying to rebuild the broken. Most of them go into politics for good reason ..."

Welby said when he sees the nation's politicians he hears them saying they've never known a time as hard as this in the 35 years they've been in parliament.

"What can change it? It's the Spirit of God and God is calling the church to be confident about bringing the healing and hope in Jesus to this country," he said.

"We have a moment of opportunity in saying yes, we're different, and Jesus does not say to you all be the same, he says I made you different and you will be drawn in your difference with love for one another through the cross and resurrection, through Ascension and Pentecost, through the coming of the Spirit, and we will see our society transformed."

Other church leaders attending the event included the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, and the chair of the Redeemed Christian Church of God UK, Pastor Agu Irukwu.

The Anglican Bishop of London, the Rt Rev. Sarah Mullally, led the square in praying for Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick and other representatives of the London emergency services.

Christian singer Matt Redman, the Kingdom Choir (who performed at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last year), worship artist Lou Fellingham and Sounds of New Wine Gospel Choir (which recently picked up the Premier Gospel Best Newcomer Award) led the music at the gathering.

Source

• Christian Today
• The Tablet
• Image: Christian Today

The Church of England says so far more than 75,000 people have engaged with its app (or skill), "Alexa Skill".

People with a smart speaker, such as an Echo, or with Alexa on their phones, can access the skill by saying "Alexa, open the Church of England".

They can then ask theological questions or request prayers or information.

The pre-recorded responses are provided by male and female clergy and lay people.

The Church of England says each week about 40 per cent of users request a prayer, while 31 per cent use the skill to ask questions such as "what is faith?" Seven per cent ask about church locations and six per cent ask Alexa to share a grace before a meal.

The skill is soon to be updated with a daily prayer for global prayer movement Thy Kingdom Come.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: "The aim of the Alexa skill is to help users to know more of the love of Jesus Christ, to enable regular churchgoers and those exploring faith to connect with God in another way and at a time that's right for them.

"My hope and prayer is that this will encourage many more people to make a pattern of daily prayer and Bible reading the foundation of their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ."

Adrian Harris, Head of Digital at the Church of England, hopes to make the developed content available on other platforms.

He said UK smart speaker usage doubled in 2018, with over 9.5 million active users each month.

"We're excited about the opportunities to use the technology to help people grow in their Christian faith, to bring people to faith and to connect them with a local church."

Source

• The Tablet
• Image: The Church of England

The prayer movement urges Catholics to join others around the globe in praying Thy Kingdom Come between Ascension and Pentecost.

The prayer Thy Kingdom Come is a prayer of longing, of hope and trust in the promise that all things in Christ will be rendered good and whole and given to the Father.

The prayer movement encourages more people to come to know Christ. Read more