More than 250 leaders gathered for the Hope for London prayer breakfast at Westminster Chapel, Thursday, with a focus on the theme of ‘Unity’.

|TOP|Part of the prayer breakfast featured a short film put together by Premier Christian Radio and the Evangelical Alliance featuring prominent church leaders including general director of the Evangelical Alliance, Joel Edwards, Faithworks founder Steve Chalke, Nicky Gumbel from Alpha and Simon Hughes MP.

“We are extremely excited to see what God is doing as leaders from across London gather together to celebrate our unity, a unity which originates not in crisis, but in Christ,” said Mr Edwards.

“It was great to share and pray with leaders from across the evangelical constituency and beyond as we stand together as one Church in the capital, united altogether for the mission of bringing hope to London.”

The speakers on the film, entitled “Can the Church bring hope for London?”, challenged London’s leaders to pray and work together and to honour each other for the sake of the wider mission to London.

|QUOTE|David Heron, chairman of Premier Media Group, said: “Hope for London is evidence of what can happen when Christians pray for their communities. Together, through prayer and action Christians can address the challenge of crime in their neighbourhood. I personally believe Hope for London can change lives across the capital.”

The film also addressed on the significance of London in the aftermath of the July 7 terrorist attacks as well as the 2012 Olympics. The work of community projects such as the Street Pastors initiative and XLP, which supports young people in the South London area were also highlighted in the film.

The Rt. Rev. Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden, was also present at the Prayer Breakfast, making the call for a recommitment to unity among Christians in the capital.

The event was organised by Evangelical Alliance in partnership with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, Premier and Soul in the City London. The prayer breakfast, now in its tenth year, was inspired by Billy Graham’s mission to London in 1992.