Churches across London's 33 boroughs have united to hold a Prayer for Peace relay throughout August.

The initiative aimed at tackling gun and knife crime and bringing peace to London will begin on August 1, holding a continuous prayer relay until September.

The Prayer for Peace relay has been introduced as the church's response to the wave of gun and knife crime sweeping through the capital.

The venture is being supported by leaders from across the church, including Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Rev Sandy Millar, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo and Bishop John Francis.

Dr Oloyede, convener of Global Day of Prayer London, commented, "Prayer is an essential part of Christian life and an effective way to affect change in the community.

"Prayer for Peace is the church's chance to stand up for their communities and change the future of London by putting a stop to gun and knife crime."

Chief Executive of the Peace Alliance and Pastor of Freedom's Ark Church, Nims Obunge said, "The prayer for peace relay is a true example of London churches uniting to confront the issue of gun and knife crime in our capital.

"Government agencies and the police are working hard to solve the problems of gun and knife crime in London, but churches must work against this as well. The prayer for peace relay is an important step to fighting gun and knife crime."

Prayer meetings will be held throughout churches in each of the thirty-three London boroughs, every day in August.

The event will be co-ordinated and broadcast by Premier Christian Radio.

Premier's Chief Executive, Peter Kerridge said, "Premier reach out to the whole of the church in our broadcasting. It is only right that as a key Christian media organisation in London we are able to assist in and report on Prayer for Peace, the first example of churches of all denominations uniting to fight the epidemic of gun and knife crime in London."


On the web: www.premier.org.uk