Global Day of Prayer takes to London's 33 boroughs

|PIC1|Christians covered London in prayer on May 31, Pentecost Sunday, as they met across the capital for the Global Day of Prayer. In the morning, churches prayed a specially written GDOP prayer for the world and the Lord’s Prayer in their Sunday services, while GDOP prayer gatherings took place in each of London’s 33 boroughs in the afternoon.

Some 50,000 Christians from across the denominational spectrum prayed into local issues as well as for the city, the nation, and the world, with a special focus on the financial crisis and good governance. GDOP London convener Pastor Jonathan Oloyede said: “As a united church we are coming together not just to have an event but to pray and connect to what God is doing. The church should come together in each borough, plant a stake in the ground, and take that borough for Jesus.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Boris Johnson have publicly endorsed the Global Day of Prayer. In a letter sent to organisers earlier in May, Mr Brown said: “Christians across Britain and the world will be coming together once again in a spirit of fellowship and social witness. “By offering prayers for your communities and nations you are continuing a long-standing Christian tradition of prayer and action for the common good and I am pleased to send my best wishes and support.”

Mr Johnson told Christians in a video message for the Global Day of Prayer that in his first year in office he had seen for himself “many projects which your churches and faith communities have been engaged in to build community cohesion, and at this time we need your prayers”.

In June, senior church leaders will attend a reception at No 11 Downing Street, hosted by cabinet member Stephen Timms MP.

The last two years have seen tens of thousands of Christians come together to pray at West Ham and Millwall football stadiums, while this year saw an increase in the number of prayer events scheduled beyond London. GDOP events took place in nearly 70 venues across England, including Beverley, Chester, Norwich and York cathedrals, with more events scheduled in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For the first time, young Christians held their own prayer gatherings under the banner of GDOP Youth. Young Christians were mobilised by several youth coordinators to establish regular prayer in the 33 boroughs and take part in a central London youth prayer event later in the summer. Lyndsay Smith, director of YFC Chislehurst, led the effort. She said: “I want the GDOP youth legacy to be one of young people encouraged and equipped to run with all that God has for them.”

GDOP London was precipitated this year by 10 days of 24/7 prayer at various points along the M25. The M25 Nutcracker saw churches along the infamous ring road open their doors around the clock for people to come in and pray for God’s blessings upon London. GDOP London organisers hoped the May 31 events will help build momentum for their long-term vision of taking the movement to Wembley Stadium in 2011.

This year’s GDOP took place in 219 countries worldwide. The first GDOP was held in South Africa in 2001 by Christian businessman Graham Power. The movement takes as its inspiration 2 Chronicles 7.14, which says, “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”