Press Release - For Immediate Release

Political leaders stand by GDOP London's call to National Day of Prayer

As election fever sweeps across the UK, Christian candidates from the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have backed GDOP London's call to a national day of prayer at West Ham stadium June 13.

"Global Day of Prayer is a fantastic event. It attracts a very large number of people coming together with tremendous exuberance and a very strong sense of prayer and worship as well," says Stephen Timms MP.

Speaking from West Ham stadium in his constituency of East Ham he added: "For me it's the basis for future service to the community. What I want to see is more people coming to serve their communities from the starting point of prayer and worship. That's the kind of celebration we will be taking part in at the Global Day of Prayer. So for me that's one of the really exciting things about Global Day of Prayer what it means about future service to our city and people moving on from what happens at the day itself."

David Burrowes Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Enfield, Southgate says Global Day of Prayer will be a significant day for Christians to pray following this week's elections: "By the time Global Day of Prayer takes place there will be a new parliament full of many new members of parliament. So it will be a really important time for many people to fill out West Ham stadium and to pray to humble themselves and call upon the Lord's strength for assistance. That's something that we all need to do and it couldn't be a better time in the first month of a government as it's setting out it's direction."

Simon Hughes Liberal Democrat Federal Party President and Candidate for North Southwark and Bermondsey added: "In June the day when everyone will be celebrating in West Ham we will have a new government. The new ministers will need to be prayed for. Make that a special day for you, a special day for London and a special day for God in the UK."

Speaking on a live TV broadcast to the nation, GDOP London convener Jonathan Oloyede called on Christians to fully engage in praying for God's will for the elections: "We want Christians to cry out for the best person that God can give us as Councillors and MPs in our towns, villages, districts and boroughs. The church corporately and Christians individually must rise up at this chairos moment and become the kingmakers for the nation through prayer and appropriate action.

"We're asking everyone to join us for a national day of prayer at West Ham stadium June 13. Only the church can intercede effectively for the nation. Only the church can actually influence this political season and lead the way into the future God's way.

"We don't want Christians to feel disempowered. They may be disillusioned with the political system right now. They may not trust any of the politicians however they can trust God because His Kingdom is steadfast and eternal. Let us all pray Thy will be done, Thy Kingdom come." 

ENDS.

Editor's Note:

An audio interview with GDOP London Convener Jonathan Oloyede is available upon request from Peter Wooding at: woodingpeter@hotmail.com

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.