The organisers of Global Day of Prayer in the UK are calling on churches and individual Christians to join in a season of prayer and fasting for the nation.

They made the call as momentum builds towards this year’s Global Day of Prayer main event, to be held at West Ham football stadium in London on June 13.

Worship artists lined up to perform at the event include Graham Kendrick, Noel Robinson, Godfrey Birtil, the All Souls Orchestra and X Factor finalist Beverly Trotman.

The time of prayer and fasting will take place against the back-drop of the forthcoming general election on May 6. GDOP London convener Jonathan Oloyede said the church had a role to play as “kingmaker” in the run up to the election.

“Every church, ward, borough or district should take responsibility in prayerfully deciding who is elected locally into public office,” he said.

“Churches need to hold vigils, conduct special prayer services and urge their congregants to do a little bit more towards the election which is a divine selection.

“If we pray then as our Lord taught us, God's will shall be done in Brighton, Hereford, Luton, York and everywhere.”

The West Ham event will be preceded by local prayer gatherings on Pentecost Sunday on May 23.

GDOP London is urging churches across the nation to send delegations to the West Ham event, joining in with millions of Christians worldwide expected to take part in the Global Day of Prayer.

Dr Oloyede said the West Ham event would be an opportunity to build on the prayers surrounding the general election.

“We need to consolidate the result of our prayers at the polls with united focus on what the Lord wants done in our nation over the next few years,” he said. “The Lord wants us to move forward as his united Church in the nation.”

The call for prayer and fasting has been taken up by Andrea Minichiello Williams, of Christian Concern For Our Nation.

She said: “Given the state of our society, I feel burdened to call Christians across the nation to fast and pray. The Bible calls us to pray for our leaders for kings and all those in high positions.

"Pray that those who are elected will be MPs that would seek to espouse Godly principles at the heart of governance.

"Pray that we would have Christ-centred policies.”

The Global Day of Prayer originated as a prayer movement in South Africa and went worldwide in 2005. In 2009, more than 250 million Christians from 220 countries took part. GDOP London has grown since 2006 to have prayer networks in every London borough. It aims to take GDOP to Wembley Stadium in 2011.

To encourage more families to attend this year, GDOP London is offering free admission to children under 10-years-old. It is encouraging churches to organise coaches for their congregations to enable families and elderly to join the event.


On the web: www.gdoplondon.com