Over the next 10 days leading up to the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on Pentecost Sunday, 15th May, Christians across the world are encouraged to focus on prayer so as to capture the power of the Holy Spirit to transform and heal the dying world.

The United Christian Broadcasting (UCB), the leading Christian radio in Europe based in the UK, will be broadcasting live, 24 hours a day with a focus on prayer. The initiative has started today and will continue till Pentecost Sunday to mark the Prayer Week.

According to UCB, presenters will be joined by live studio guests praying for and looking into a whole range of situations. Special programmes will focus on issues for prayer on a variety of subjects, from the persecuted church to youth work in our local communities.

Moreover, the leaders and workers of a wide variety of Christian organisations will be invited to join with listeners in prayer for issues close to their hearts. Also with the dust settling after the general election campaign, the political scene will be in the thoughts and prayers being said, with regular updates on the current issues of the day.

Broadcasting Manager for Radio, Andrew Urquhart, shared UCB’s vision regarding the Prayer Week, "In recent years we've covered prayer week, but as a bystander. This year we were challenged that we shouldn't just be reporting what was going on, we should be part of what was happening."

"UCB will be praying with you, for you and about issues that affect you, as well as reporting on what's happening around the world...We want to join with Prayer Week, not just to report on what will be a fantastic time of prayer and fellowship, but to change our nation."

The organiser of the Global Day of Prayer said that the 10 days of prayer leading up to Pentecost is of great spiritual significance. According to the epistle recorded in the Book of Acts, after the ascension of Jesus Christ 40 days after his resurrection, the 12 Apostles gathered in one place and entered a ten-day period of intense prayer. Through this period, God increased their numbers and prepared them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Prayer week starts on 6th May for 10 days. UCB's broadcasting kicked off at 6am this morning with the Steve Best Breakfast Show, 6am-10am on UCB Europe. For live listen, please tune into UCB Europe on Satellite & Cable channel 875 or at www.ucb.co.uk