Christians called to join 'prayer surge' for General Election

Christians across Britain are being invited to join an "election prayer surge" on the eve of the general election in a bid to pray in "God's will" for the nation.

In a pastoral letter today, Dr Jonathan Oloyede, convenor of the National Day of Prayer and Worship, has issued a prayer summons to evangelical, charismatic and any other committed Christians to gather outside Parliament on the evening of Wednesday 6 May.

"Thursday 7th May 2015 will be a significant day in the life of this nation as we head to the polling stations to vote for the next government, our local councillors and in some places for mayoral candidates," he writes.

He says the outcome will affect the country for decades to come and polls suggest it will be very close to call as daily and hourly polls reflect changes to who is in the lead.

"I am writing to you today as Christians, church leaders and prayer activists in this nation to urge you to renew the call to prayer for the UK and the government. I know many of you are already praying, but I believe we need to raise the bar in praying for God's Kingdom to come and will to be done, over these last 14 days of the campaign."

Quoting Isaiah 60, "Arise, Shine for your Light has Come," he says these words are relevant church and believers everywhere "to stand up, show up and stand out so that the Lord can have His way with this nation."

Faith can no longer be divorced from politics, he continues. Recent initiatives include the Church of England House of Bishops Pastoral letter to all its parishes, the launch of the Black Majority Church manifesto, the Christian People's Alliance activities, the Show Up project and political party leaders appearing on Church platforms in aid of their campaigns.

The prayer surge will begin at 7.14pm on Parliament Square and last at least an hour. Events can also be organised locally, however.

related articles
Christian Today\'s election guide for the perplexed: The Economy
Christian Today's election guide for the perplexed: The Economy

Christian Today's election guide for the perplexed: The Economy

Christian Today\'s election guide for the perplexed: Immigration
Christian Today's election guide for the perplexed: Immigration

Christian Today's election guide for the perplexed: Immigration

Christian Today\'s election guide for the perplexed: Defence
Christian Today's election guide for the perplexed: Defence

Christian Today's election guide for the perplexed: Defence

Who cares more about poverty, the Left or the Right?
Who cares more about poverty, the Left or the Right?

Who cares more about poverty, the Left or the Right?

We all love the NHS, but how should we pay for it?
We all love the NHS, but how should we pay for it?

We all love the NHS, but how should we pay for it?

News
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds

People who regularly attend church are more likely to report happy marriages, according to a new report examining the relationship between faith and family life.

Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk
Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk

Churches in Dhamtari, a town in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, have put up notices warning non-Christians that they enter at their own risk, weeks after a law against religious conversion came into force in the state.

£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes
£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes

Churches across the UK are being offered bursaries to help them establish mentoring programmes aimed at supporting young people and others in their communities.

World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary
World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has held an online celebration to mark its 180th anniversary. Hundreds of people from more than 22 countries attended, and the event was rebroadcast to accommodate different time zones.