London's Christians announce month of prayer for gun and knife crime
Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 10:25 (BST)
Churches across London's 33 boroughs have united to hold a Prayer for Peace relay throughout August.
The initiative aimed at tackling gun and knife crime and bringing peace to London will begin on August 1, holding a continuous prayer relay until September.
The Prayer for Peace relay has been introduced as the church's response to the wave of gun and knife crime sweeping through the capital.
The venture is being supported by leaders from across the church, including Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Rev Sandy Millar, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo and Bishop John Francis.
Dr Oloyede, convener of Global Day of Prayer London, commented, "Prayer is an essential part of Christian life and an effective way to affect change in the community.
"Prayer for Peace is the church's chance to stand up for their communities and change the future of London by putting a stop to gun and knife crime."
Chief Executive of the Peace Alliance and Pastor of Freedom's Ark Church, Nims Obunge said, "The prayer for peace relay is a true example of London churches uniting to confront the issue of gun and knife crime in our capital.
"Government agencies and the police are working hard to solve the problems of gun and knife crime in London, but churches must work against this as well. The prayer for peace relay is an important step to fighting gun and knife crime."
Prayer meetings will be held throughout churches in each of the thirty-three London boroughs, every day in August.
The event will be co-ordinated and broadcast by Premier Christian Radio.
Premier's Chief Executive, Peter Kerridge said, "Premier reach out to the whole of the church in our broadcasting. It is only right that as a key Christian media organisation in London we are able to assist in and report on Prayer for Peace, the first example of churches of all denominations uniting to fight the epidemic of gun and knife crime in London."
On the web: www.premier.org.uk
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 16:46 (BST)
Knife crime, Gordon Brown and the Churches responsibility.
The charity National Society for Children and Family Contact (NSCFC) warns Prime Minister Gordon Brown that until such time as the government brings about reform and parity in family law, the like of which at present excludes wholesome fathers, grandparents and all on the paternal side of a child’s life after separation or divorce at an alarming rate and affecting in excess of 600.000 children, fathers and well over One million grandparents all since Labour took office in 1997, then its for sure that many youngsters seeking a sense of identity and belonging will turn to gangs and so will continue the never ending rise in anti-social behaviour. Add to this the mindless creation of a nanny state via the NSPCC, Social Services and CAFCASS at the expense of parental responsibility rights and we have the complete recipe for disaster and with it still more out of control behaviour the like of which is manifesting itself in knife and sex crime with increasing numbers of youngsters suffering from mental illness. Address the cause and just maybe we can begin to replace gangs with good wholesome role models via the family unit, to ignore a child’s innate need to belong and be loved is to reap what we sow and this the church has a God-given duty to convey without fear or favour.
National Society for Children and Family Contact (NSCFC) is a registered charity which believes that continuing contact with a child’s parents or extended family after separation or divorce is vital for the child’s balanced development and it works tirelessly to foster those all-important family contacts. As such we offer free support and advice to all those in need. Helpline at National rate on 0870 794 0075 or at www.nscfc.com
Mike Ellis, Bideford UK
