As the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice approaches next week from 10th-16th April, churches, aid agencies and charities all around the world gear up to join in one voice calling for trade justice. Millions of people in 70 countries will participate in over thousand of events organised by local organisation.

Tearfund, a leading Christian-based charity in the UK, has responded to the campaign in a very special way. A virtual 24-7 prayer zone is being launched on Tearfund’s website, through which all people around the globe can join together to pray for trade justice throughout the Global Week of Action from 10th-16th April.

The prayer zone works out as the 7 days are divided into 168 one-hour sessions. Individuals and groups are invited to sign up for one session each so that at that time they will pray for one hour to end injustice in the world. The time follows the BST, which is GMT plus one hour. According to Tearfund, Christians from across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe have been signing up for the time slots over the past month.

Mari Griffith, Tearfund’s Trade Campaign Officer says, "It’s so encouraging to see the enthusiasm of people around the world to pray for trade justice. Unjust trade is ruining the lives of millions of people in developing countries. But our prayers and campaigning efforts can help to turn this situation around in this year of unprecedented opportunity to make trade work for the poor."

The virtual prayer zone has provided a precious chance for Christians in different parts of the world to support and strengthen each other through praying at the same time. In one time slot on Monday 11 April, Christians in Manchester, Watford and Coventry will be praying simultaneously with Christians in Benin, who feel the effects of harmful trade rules firsthand. During the same day, members of Christ Church in York will be joining in prayer with Christians working in Delhi’s slums and a centre for children with disabilities in Bangkok.

To facilitate the prayer, Tearfund has prepared a free prayer resource called 24-7 trade justice prayer pack which is available to download from the website. This document is intended to inspire and guide Christians to pray for trade justice and is written in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. There are six different "prayer activities", each with prayer points, and a Bible reading to end the prayer session. The prayer pack will also include Trade Explained to inform Christians why global trade is unfair.

A new track by Soul Survivor worship leader Tim Hughes called "To Act Justly" is available to download as a further meditation on trade justice.

Tearfund is encouraging more Christians to sign up for the virtual prayer zone this week. Please visit the Tearfund website to sign up for your prayer time slot!