MORE PRAYER DURING PANDEMIC
Last month The Sydney Morning Herald reported that ‘Churches may have closed their doors, but more Australians are opening their minds to spirituality and prayer. Researchers have found Australians say they have been praying more during the COVID-19 crisis, suggesting the pandemic has led many to reassess their priorities in life.’

BINDI ASKS FOR PRAYER
Christian Headlines reports that Bindi Irwin has asked for prayer for her unborn baby, saying God has blessed her marriage to Chandler Powell with pregnancy. Since the death of her father, the ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, in 2006, the world has watched his family carry on his legacy at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. Chandler and Bindi were married at the Australia Zoo in March. Bindi told Christian Headlines, ‘God soon had a big blessing on the way for us.’ The couple are rejoicing in what they describe as ‘an incredible blessing’ and have asked people to pray for them, their baby and the Irwin family.

‘THE CHOSEN’
A TV show telling the Gospel story through the eyes of people changed by meeting Jesus is having an impact. The Chosen, with eight seasons planned is about to begin filming the second season. Producer Dallas Jenkins says they could hopefully film all planned seven seasons of The Chosen in the next three-and-a-half-years. He told Religion Unplugged that despite complications of filming during the pandemic, he believes The Chosen is needed now more than ever. ‘Telling those stories in a compelling way can have impact in a divided world today’. He says that this is the biggest crowd-funded media project of all time, raising more than $US11 million to fund the first season.

AMERICAN CHURCHES POST COVID-19
As many as one in five American churches could permanently close as a result of shutdowns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, according to David Kinnaman, president of the prominent Christian research organization Barna Group. In a public radio interview regarding the status of American churches after months of shutdowns, Kinnaman said although churches were handling things “pretty swimmingly” at first, circumstances have changed for some.  He noted that although many churches have opened as US states’ shutdown orders are loosened, their services have had “a lot less people coming.” “They’re recognizing that the relationships that they thought were much deeper with people were actually not as deep as they expected.”

CHRISTIANS FIGHT COVID IN BANGLADESH
Christians across Bangladesh are playing a huge part in the country’s response to COVID-19. There are 280 Christian doctors and about 4,000 Christian nurses currently working in Bangladesh, according to Premier News. Churches in Bangladesh currently operate 20 hospitals and run about 70 community clinics in rural areas.

“BLACK PANTHER” ACTOR
News services around the world report that tributes have poured in for Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, following his death at the age of 43. The actor’s family announced he had died surrounded by his loved ones following a four-year battle with colon cancer. Along with tributes, people have been remembering Boseman for his inspiring message to Howard University’s graduating class of 2018. He began that 34-minute message by “first, giving honour to the Creator”. In the middle of the speech he shared the story of his rocky road to success and how he had to have faith in God during the difficult time.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND CORONAVIRUS
According to Premier Christian News, 2,700 Christian leaders have signed a document supporting the scientific conclusions about coronavirus and the subsequent need for a workable vaccine. The statement was published by the Biologos Foundation – a Christian organisation seeking to promote “the harmony between science and biblical faith” which was established by prominent Christian geneticist Francis Collins.

AMERICAN CHRISTIANS AND COVID-19
A new survey from Pew Research , reported in The Christian Post, reveals how most Americans have been coping with the pandemic and lockdowns, and it isn’t through faith in God or spiritual practice. In fact, more than any other religious or non-religious population surveyed, 90% of Christians report watching the most TV and movies at home to decompress from COVID-19-related stress. Only 55% of participants reported praying weekly and only 29% said Scripture reading was part of their weekly routine.

CHRISTIANITY AND SPORT
Stephen Liggins is an Anglican minister in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, a former first grade cricketer and current ‘Masters’ athlete. Eternity News reports that his new book on Christianity and sport – The Good Sporting Life: Loving and playing sport as a follower of Jesus offers insights for all Christian athletes. Former Australian hockey international, Susie Harris, states that the book balances “athlete experience with practical advice and faithful biblical truth.”