Canon Patrick writes…
As I write, there are real hopes that President Trump and Iran have thrashed out a peace deal that will bring peace to the Iranian region, including Lebanon, and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. The price of oil has fallen and stock markets have risen. It feels like the first item of proper peace-making to have hit the news in years. Sadly, I fear it only came about because the President has realised that he had seriously underestimated the power that Iran has through its control of the Strait of Hormuz. It is a peace that reflects the balance of power more than justice or truth.
Then the big fear of recent days has concerned outbreaks of racially motivated violence following a conviction in a stabbing murder case in Southampton, and an attempted stabbing murder in Belfast. Once again, as was the case after the dreadful Southport murders two years ago, social media played a big role in spreading misinformation and incitement to violence. Once again, Elon Musk and his X platform were heavily implicated. Two misidentified police officers had to leave their homes because of social media threats.
Interference in British politics also comes from Russia, according to Sir Richard Moore, a former head on MI6. He warned of attempts to intimidate the UK with sabotage, arson and cyber-attacks. Russia backed spreading of misinformation online has also been highlighted.
The dangers arising through misuse of social media are very real. In an attempt to protect young people, the government is proposing an Australian style blanket ban of social media for people under sixteen. I welcome attempts to address the problem, but we need to accept that it will take time to work out what the best measures are, and how to implement them.
Our lives are always full of hopes and fears. In Christianity we recognise our ultimate hope lies in Jesus’s conquering of death. We also train ourselves to entrust our fears to him, knowing what a destructive effect fear can have.
I’m praying for us all, that we might triumph in hope! Canon Patrick
Prayer of Trust – by Richard Harries
O God, you know we are often filled with fear and foreboding.
Give us courage and deepen our trust.
You are a rock which nothing can shatter.
On you we can place the whole weight of our lives. Amen.