Night of Prayer for UK draws 600 to Westminster

More than 600 people gathered in central London this week for a night of prayer for the nation, Government and young people.

The event was hosted jointly by Global Day of Prayer London (GDOP) and International House of Prayer London (IHOP).

The two movements are seeking to build momentum towards the National Day of Prayer and Worship at Wembley Stadium next year.

IHOP London Director, Pastor Elcio Lodos from Brazil, believes the National Day of Prayer and Worship at Wembley Stadium next year is going to be a historic moment.

“We are really going to be making history," he said.

"It’s so amazing that there’s going to be the first ever Christian event at the new Wembley stadium that is focussed on prayer. This is going to set a new standard and a new way for the Kingdom in the UK.

"So Christians should take hold of this opportunity.”

Also speaking at the night of prayer was the Rev Clive Urquhart, Senior Pastor of Kingdom Faith Church.

“Coming into next year there seems to be a gathering momentum around the country for something to happen in this nation," he said.

"Everyone’s recognising that it can’t just happen through a few groups, or streams or denominations, but it needs the whole church to pray for the nation.”

The Baptist Union of Great Britain is the latest denomination to get behind the vision to fill Wembley Stadium for a day of prayer on September 29, 2012.

BUGB mission director Ian Bunce was recently appointed as the national representative of the Baptist denomination for Wembley 2012.

He said: “I’m excited because I believe things will happen when we start to pray together and when we decide to unite our hearts and our minds on issues of seeing this nation changed.”

Other denominations to endorse the plans are Elim Pentecostal denomination, Assemblies of God, the New Testament Church of God and the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Eric Brown, Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church of God for England & Wales said: "I think it will be a marvellous thing if the whole church community will come together and bow before the presence of God and invite His divine intervention in the affairs of this nation."

The Bishop of Barking David Hawkins, on behalf of the Anglican Communion, said: “We need a diverse church for a diverse society and to couple the best of our historic denominations with the energy of newer streams of church from Africa, Asia and South America.”