Christians from across the denominational spectrum will pray into local issues as well as for the city, the nation, and the world, with a special focus on the financial crisis and good governance. GDOP London convener Pastor Jonathan Oloyede said: "As a united church we are coming together not just to have an event but to pray and connect to what God is doing. The church should come together in each borough, plant a stake in the ground, and take that borough for Jesus."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Boris Johnson have publicly endorsed the Global Day of Prayer. In a letter sent to organisers earlier in May, Mr Brown said: "Christians across Britain and the world will be coming together once again in a spirit of fellowship and social witness. "By offering prayers for your communities and nations you are continuing a long-standing Christian tradition of prayer and action for the common good and I am pleased to send my best wishes and support."
Mr Johnson will tell Christians in a video message for the Global Day of Prayer that in his first year in office he has seen for himself "many projects which your churches and faith communities have been engaged in to build community cohesion, and at this time we need your prayers."
In June, senior church leaders are to be invited to a special reception at No 11 Downing Street, hosted by cabinet member Stephen Timms MP. The Prime Minister and Mayor are expected to use both opportunities to ask Christians in London and across the UK to pray for the nation in the midst of the credit crunch and public dismay at the integrity of Parliament brought on by the expenses scandal.
The last two years have seen tens of thousands of Christians come together to pray at West Ham and Millwall football stadiums, while this year has seen an increase in the number of prayer events scheduled beyond London. GDOP events are taking place in nearly 70 venues across England, including Beverley, Chester, Norwich and York cathedrals, with more events scheduled in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For the first time, young Christians will be holding their own prayer gatherings under the banner of GDOP Youth. Young Christians are being mobilised by several youth coordinators to establish regular prayer in the 33 boroughs and take part in a central London youth prayer event later in the summer. Lyndsay Smith, director of YFC Chislehurst, is leading the effort. She said: "I want the GDOP youth legacy to be one of young people encouraged and equipped to run with all that God has for them."
GDOP London was precipitated this year by 10 days of 24/7 prayer at various points along the M25. The M25 Nutcracker saw churches along the infamous ring road open their doors around the clock for people to come in and pray for God's blessings upon London. GDOP London organisers hope the May 31 events will help build momentum for their long-term vision of taking the movement to Wembley Stadium in 2011.
This year's GDOP is taking place in some 219 countries worldwide. The first GDOP was held in South Africa in 2001 by Christian businessman Graham Power. The movement takes as its inspiration 2 Chronicles 7.14, which says, "If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."