A year of prayer - A day of prayer for London!

This article was originally published in Edition (10) of Prayer Magazine,  Apr-Jun 2007.

On the 20^th February 2006, a sizeable group of Leaders from London and beyond it met at Holy Trinity Brompton to listen to Jonathan Oloyede’s vision for united prayer across the Capital and British Isles. The meeting hosted by Nicky Gumbel and facilitated by Joel Edwards with Jane Holloway was the relational platform from which this initiative began.

Several years ago, Jonathan a convert from Islam had several vivid visions of renewal, revival and transformation coming to the UK. These included graphic pictures of Wembley Stadium filled to capacity with worshipping and praying Christians. The latest inspiration which sparked him into action was a vision of people all over the four Isles praying the Lord’s prayer at the same time; in pubs, churches, schools, offices, homes and on the streets. As the Christians prayed in one accord, Light and Healing spread across the four Nations.

The leaders jointly agreed to link this Prayer Initiative to Pentecost and the Global Day of Prayer movement which had originated out of South Africa in 2001. In 2004 more than 20 million people prayed at more than 2000 sites in every African country. The Christians of Africa then invited believers around the world to join them in the first ever Global Day of Prayer which drew together an estimated 200 million people on May 15^th 2005.

On June 4^th 2006, London held its first GDoP event at Westminster Chapel where just over 1000 Christians joined an estimated 250 million Christians praying in 198 countries around the Globe.

This colourful and diverse celebration witnessed a confluence of Christians from the Phillipines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Columbia, Peru, Brazil, Iran, China, Antigua, Uganda, Zimbabwe, England, Wales, Nigeria, Jamaica, Guyana, Ghana, Italy, and Democratic Republic of Congo amongst many others.

Over 1000 Catholics, Pentecostals, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Independents and Evangelicals danced and worshipped together. It was indeed a sight to behold!!

Joel Edwards commented on the event by stating that  indeed it was one of the, (if not the) most multicultural  diverse Christian event he had ever attended.

The plans for 2007 are much bigger. All through the entire year, hundreds of churches are already engaged with 24/7 prayer every single day! The theme is THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE. It is envisioned that strong united prayer networks will be established in all of the 33 Boroughs in London. The Prayer Chain began at 12.01am January1^st 2007 and will climax at midnight December 31^st 2007 with hundreds of simultaneous vigils all over London praying into 2008.

Then on Pentecost Sunday May 27^th 2007 in the afternoon, all roads lead to West Ham FC at Upton Park where it is hoped that the Stadium will resound with thousands of Christians Worshipping, Praying and Celebrating together

Some have asked why Upton Park? Transform Newham a group  of church and community leaders from diverse Christian traditions and streams have been meeting to pray every week for the past 6 years. Even though not unique, Jonathan and the Christian leaders of Newham after consultation and prayer, felt it was the natural and plausible choice in view of the coming Olympics in 2012. In the heart of England’s most multicultural borough and within the vicinity of Europe’s largest proposed Mosque, the stadium of West Ham FC will perhaps witness London’s most diverse, colourful  and united Christian prayer gathering in recent times if not ever.

Churches and organisations already connecting with the vision include Holy Trinity Brompton, African/Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, Premier Radio, Soul in the City, Share Jesus International, God TV, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, most of the large Black Majority Churches like Jesus House, KICC and Glory House, Evangelical Alliance,

 Christians in Parliament, 24/7 Prayer UK, New Wine Anglican Network, Pioneer Network, Catholic Brentwood Diocese, Anglican Chelmsford Diocese, Ichthus, Faithworks, and many more joining weekly!

Updates and details on how to register, contribute to or get involved can be obtained at www.londonprayer.net/2007

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