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FAITH: (Left to right) Boris Johnson, Ade Oomoba, Hugh Osgood, and Jonathan Oloyede

OVER 10,000 believers from across the denominational spectrum attended the third Global Day of Prayer event at West Ham Stadium last week.

Drawing on the theme of football, because of the World Cup, the Rt Revd David Hawkins, the Bishop of Barking told the gathered crowd: "We stand on turf consecrated to the beautiful game at the beginning of the World Cup, and today as Christians we are celebrating the beautiful life through the power of the Holy Spirit".

Special guest Mayor of London Boris Johnson also addressed the crowd, stating: "I congratulate all of you who have come here today because you could be watching the World Cup."

He compared the England football team’s disappointing debut World Cup match with Christianity. "I believe passionately that the message of the Christian faith is that you can come back if you don't get the best possible start in life, because there are people to help you. That's what Christianity means to me and that's what Christian groups do all over London," Mayor Johnson said.

Following his brief speech, the 10,000 strong crowd stretched out their hands and prayed for the London Mayor and the capital’s political leaders to show wisdom during these uncertain times.

In between prayers for a wide range of issues, including youths, and the persecuted church, gospel artists and worship leaders including Noel Robinson, Beverley Trotman, Graham Kendrick and Lara Martin led celebration and worship, with dancers waving colourful flags from around the world at the side of the stage.

Jonathan Oloyede, convenor of Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) London had the vision to gather Christians from across the capital and the nation for prayer and has started work on hosting a National Day of Prayer at Wembley Stadium for 80,000 people in 2011.

He said: "This is a time to unite across denominations and cultures and different ages. Wembley Stadium next year will be a watershed to tip the nation into her destiny. This nation belongs to Christ and can only be transformed by prayer, unity and evangelism.

"Today the church drove a stake into the ground and we drew a line and said in the spirit that this nation belongs to Jesus. I believe the unity of the church is powerful and significant as we march towards a national day of prayer at Wembley Stadium in 2011."

GDOP London, which is a movement of daily prayer, is urging one million Christians to pray the Lord's Prayer at 12pm every day. It is also encouraging all churches and networks to be part of 500 days of prayer for the UK, starting Sunday August 1, 2010 until December 31, 2011.

For more details visit www.gdoplondon.com

Published: 21 June 2010
Issue: 1428

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