With less than 48 hours to go until the nation heads to the polls, Christian candidates have come out in support of Global Day of Prayer London and its call to a national day of prayer.

Tens of thousands of Christians are expected to turn out for the Global Day of Prayer event at West Ham football stadium on June 13.

Labour Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms said he hoped the day of prayer would be followed up with greater service in the community.

“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,” he said.

“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 said the Global Day of Prayer would have added significance this year, falling after the General Election on May 6.

“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 its direction.”

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Southwark and Bermondsey, made a similar call.

“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,” he said.

The Global Day of Prayer is an international movement that originated in South Africa at the turn of the millennium. It spread to London in 2006 and has since seen the development of GDOP-related prayer networks in every London borough. Last year, the Global Day of Prayer united an estimated 250 million Christians in 220 countries.

In a live nationwide TV broadcast, GDOP London convener Jonathan Oloyede called upon Christians to pray during the election and put their trust in God for the best outcome.

“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,” he said.
“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.”

He said it was only the church that could influence the political season and lead the way into the future “God’s way”.

He said: “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.”