Press Release - For Immediate Release

4 June 2009

100,000 London Christians Join Forces for the Global Day of Prayer

AROUND 100,000 Christians across London took part in this year’s Global Day of Prayer (London) on May 31.

Conservative estimates state that in the ten days leading to Pentecost Sunday -  the date used around the world by organisers to join Christians together to pray for their nations -  morning, afternoon and evening events were held, together with special Sunday gatherings, which saw 50,000 believers joining together in prayer.  Plus, if all the churches registered in the capital joined together as promised in prayer at their regular Sunday services, this year’s GDOP in London saw 100,000 Christians united  – the largest ever for GDOP (London), now in its fifth year.

In Newham, young people organised prayer events, in Southwark and Camden, prayer was held in the air, and in Hounslow, Christians went out onto the High Street to pray for the  problems of the area, and for the nation.

With this year’s focus on the Credit Crunch and integrity in Parliament as a result of the MP’s expenses scandal, organisers were delighted to have Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Boris Johnson endorse the day.

GDOP, started in 2004 London has also been a catalyst for prayer events throughout the UK, with this year, 15 events held in Northern Ireland, 41 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. Even Jersey (Channel Islands), the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland joined in the united wall of prayer.

In a statement to organisers, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “By offering prayers for your communities and nations you are continuing a long-standing Christian tradition of prayer and action for the common good and I am pleased to send my best wishes and support”.  Boris Johnston recorded a video address which was played at many of the London venues across the boroughs.

GDOP convenor, Pastor Dr Jonathan Oloyede, said: “We are delighted with the way in which God is blessing GDOP, both in London and throughout the UK.  This year, instead of one central London event, the trustees decided to encourage united prayer initiatives in each borough.  In this way, we were able to encourage Christian unity and focus on the issues of each area. Not only was there a crescendo of prayer leading up to GDOP through the 10-day build up, but through the now well-established GDOP daily rhythm of Christians pausing at 12noon to say the Lord’s Prayer wherever they are, we are seeing a level of prayer for this nation that we believe will be mightily used by God.

"This year's GDOP came right in the middle of the MP scandal and great fears about the credit crunch.  We were able to pray for a real sense of responsibility and accountability amongst politicians, and also for strength and hope for thousands of people caught in debt, for whom the future, humanly speaking, looks bleak.  We look forward to unveiling plans for 2010 in the coming months."

Organisers have announced the dates of the 10 days of prayer focus for 2010 to be May 13-22, and special events will be organiser for GDOP on May 23, with plans developing for a major GDOP at Wembley, London, in 2011.

For further information, visit www.gdoplondon.com

ENDS.

For further information:

Dr Jonathan Oloyede; 0207 474 3060; 07956 237 266
Kim Dopson, administrator: 08456 528 600

Editor's Note:

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 2007 over 250 million Christians united in 203 countries to pray. In London, GDOP has been a focus of prayer and Christian action since 2006. West Ham Stadium 07, with last year’s event at Millwall Football Stadium saw a combined attendance of 30,000 Christians attending. Organisers hold a vision to host the 2011 event at Wembley Stadium.