Pentecost Sunday

As millions around the world gathered for the 11th annual Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday, churches of all denominations and ethnic backgrounds across London and throughout the British Isles failed to be dampened by the rain as they united  together to gather for prayer events.

This year’s event saw participation from more than 200 countries in a cross-denominational effort to pray in line with2 Chronicles 7:14, a verse in which God promises to heal the land if His people will humble themselves, pray and turn from their wicked ways.

“The key is the unity that a day of prayer like this brings,” said Graham Power, the South African businessman who launched the Global Day of Prayer in 2000.

“Many of these denominational leaders have never worked together in the past. This event, of course, is about a day of repentance and prayer—but it’s not about just one day. It’s about a lifestyle of prayer.”

Across all 33 London boroughs more than 10,000 Christians gathered in Newham, Southwark, Brent, Bromley, Lewisham, Harringay, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing, Wandsworth, Lambeth and Westminster held a variety of prayer events.  Prayer events also took place across the home counties including Surrey, Essex and Kent.

In Romford in Essex, heavy rain forced plans to gather at the local market place, to be moved at the last minute to Romford Baptist Church.  Despite this the church was packed with Christians from a wide variety of denominations and nationalities in a powerful display of unity as prayers were said for all aspects of society from the recession, loneliness to youth issues.

There were a number of dignitaries in attendance including the Mayor of Romford and Member of Parliament for Romford Andrew Rosindell:

“The Global Day of Prayer is an important event in the local community.  You have wonderful organisations, churches and faith groups throughout Romford and they play a pivotal part in our local community.  They’re the bedrock of Romford and I’m very pleased that the Global Day of Prayer is happening in my constituency.

“It’s a wonderful initiative and I’m delighted that so many from Romford are contributing to that 200 million group of people who are coming together to worship and to celebrate and so here in Romford we’re playing our part in that global community of Christians.”

GDOP London Convener Jonathan Oloyede was extremely encouraged by all that was happening in the capital on Pentecost Sunday:  “I’m excited by all the different events that have been happening across London.  We’ve been having celebrations in all the 33 boroughs of the city.

“We’ve been praying for the peace of God for our city, we’ve been praying for the young people, we’ve been praying that the crime rates will come down.  We’ve been praying for the unity of the church to come together at such a time as Pentecost. 

Pentecost Sunday 2012 falls on Sunday, 27th May 2012 and once again we look forward to seeing the Church united in prayer and celebration across every Borough, City and County through out our Nation.

Feedback from Lewisham
Six different Churches were represented in the prayer meeting. Baptists, Anglicans, Pentecostals and Community Churches. About 100 people attended praying together for God's Holy Spirit to be released upon the  world, UK, London and Lewisham. We also prayed for the UK government that God would give them direction. Prayers were offered for places like Japan, Libya and trouble spots in the world. People had encounters with the Lord as some people were touched by God's fire, others were healed by His power. We had different styles of worship from African Pentecostal choirs to modern British Church worship.  In all of it God was glorified and people were inspired!  
Rev Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, Minister, Crofton Park Baptist Church

Feedback from Havering
As millions around the world gathered for the 11th annual Global Day of Prayeron Pentecost Sunday, Main Road Baptist Church Romford kindly played host to Churches of all denominations from across Havering , as the rain played havoc with the preparations for a Global Day of Prayer Event in Romford Market place. The church was packed with Christians from a wide variety of denominations and nationalities in a powerful display of unity as prayers were said for all aspects of society from the Recession, Street Pastors, loneliness to youth issues. The Event was Organised and Led by Rev Gary Seithel (Chair of Across Havering)  and  the worship led by Helen  Yousaf, Glen Podd (Minister from the Elim Church Romford) and their gifted band, made up of musicians from various churches.There were a number of dignitaries in attendance including the Mayor of Romford Cllr Melvin Wallace, The Head of Havering Borough Council Councilor Michael White  and Member of Parliament for Romford Andrew Rosindell:It was exciting to see so many Christians from across the various churches of Havering united in prayer and song, breaking down any denominational barriers and blessing each other in song. This show of unity across the borough can only be a catalyst for greater things to come as we pray and seek God together as the Church of Havering to bring transformation to our borough.
Rev Gary Seithel (Chair Across Havering)