Christians in the UK will join hands with human rights activists and members of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change in a prayer vigil for Zimbabwe later in the month.

The prayer vigil will take place outside the Zimbabwean embassy in London on 21 April and follows the Zimbabwean government's massive crackdown on opposition activists after police thwarted efforts by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign to lead Zimbabweans in prayer last month.

Opposition leaders were arrested and beaten, with one activist, Gift Tandare, shot dead in the Highfield suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, as the police tried to stop Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC founding president, and other pro-democracy leaders from attending the prayer meeting.

There have also been reports on a daily basis of the abduction of opposition activists with one said to be fighting for his life after being shot by the police this Easter holiday.

"There has been political unrest that is causing untold suffering in Zimbabwe," said a statement on behalf of the UK Christian community. "The situation is deteriorating everyday with more and more disturbing reports on the harassment, torture and abuse of the ordinary Zimbabwean. The people are being held hostage in their own country.

"But then each time a man or a woman stands up for justice, the heavens sing and the world rejoices. We are urging the people here to stand up and be counted."

The organisers say they expect various church groups from the Zimbabwean community in the UK to attend the vigil and pray for Zimbabwe.

"We are convinced that if we all humble ourselves and pray and seek God's grace, He will hear us and heal our land."