Press Release - For Immediate Release

Global Day of Prayer London Issues a Call to Prayer at West Ham Football Stadium

All roads lead to Upton Park as the countdown draws near to this year's Global Day of Prayer London at the famous West Ham stadium on June 13. Organisers are calling for Christians from all backgrounds and denominations and ages to unite together for one purpose to see change in the capital and nation.

GDOP London challenged Christian leaders, at a special reception at the stadium last month, to unite with their resources to make the event happen. They rose to the challenge and the event has now been booked with 50% of all funds raised. We have never seen this level of cooperation and giving since we started. The Lord is up to something said one of the GDOP London organisers.

"The Lord had been speaking to us that we need to galvanize the people of God into deeper and sustained prayer for London and the United Kingdom. The country is at a crucial juncture and she needs our prayers to make the right turn. If we do not pray NOW, we could miss God's first choice for Great Britain," explains GDOP London Convener Jonathan Oloyede.

He added: "Our unity as Christians is crucial in the revival and redemption of the nation. London needs the church to rise up in potent intercession to Heaven. It is a powerfully corporate thing when people come together to unite whether they are Anglican, Baptist, Black majority church, Evangelical, Hispanic or Chinese. 

Lord's Prayer

GDOP London wants people to start preparing for this year's event by setting their mobile phones to noon each day to pray the Lord's prayer.

"We're asking everyone to pray the Lord's prayer at noon, wherever they are and encourage friends and family to do the same. Imagine one million Christians doing this together every day!" said Oloyede.

Regional prayers

GDOP London is also encouraging churches in every borough of London and across the nation to organise prayer events on Pentecost Sunday 23rd May the week before this year's stadium event.

The organisers have been very encouraged by many churches, networks and regions who have already made plans for their boroughs and would be mobilising people towards the stadium event the following Sunday. Phil Stokes, Chair of Southwark for Jesus said: "Many churches in our borough are gathering at Peckham Square on Pentecost Sunday to worship, pray and celebrate together for the borough. We will be galvanising everyone to come to West Ham the following weekend. We are all very excited about how the Holy Spirit is moving through GDOP."

GDOP London hopes to hold prayer events in all London boroughs. Church networks are coming together in Barking, Ealing, Hounslow, Brent, Enfield, Hackney, Westminster, Newham, Dagenham and many more regions across the capital for united prayer. GDOP has also teamed up with Transform Thurrock for another ring of prayer in the towns around all the 31 junctions of the M25.

"With all the prayer going up, something has to crack open in the capital for the Kingdom of God," says Tim Harrold one of the GDOP organisers.

The ticket booking lines are now opened and churches are being encouraged to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment. GDOP London is also encouraging volunteers to sign-up to get involved either by signing up to be a steward on the day, register their booked coaches, join the children's choir or become an ambassador of GDOP London in their local church.

Some of the confirmed artists performing and leading worship are Graham Kendrick, Dave & Pat Bilbrough, Noel Robinson, Godfrey Birtil, The All Souls Orchestra and X Factor finalist Beverly Trotman. More groups and artistes will be confirmed closer to the event.

For up to date information or to get involved go to: www.gdoplondon.com/getinvolved

ENDS.

For further information and media enquires contact:

Dr Jonathan Oloyede: 08456 528 600 / 07956 237 266

Kim Dopson, GDOP Administrator: 08456 528 600 / 02088 539 529

The Global Day of Prayer London (GDOP) is a movement of collaboration across the Christian Church in the capital towards Unity, Prayer and Transformation, and is part of a global network which began in South Africa at the turn of the Millennium. In 2009 over 250 million Christians united in 220 countries to pray. In London, GDOP has been a focus of prayer and Christian action since 2006 with prayer networks now in every London borough. West Ham Stadium 07, and Millwall Football Stadium in 2008, saw a combined attendance of 30,000 Christians attending. Organisers hold a vision to host the 2011 event at Wembley Stadium.