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GDOP 2009: UK Summary


We had the largest number of places taking part for the fifth year of GDOP with 15 events in Northern Ireland, 41 in England, 3 in Wales and 2 in Scotland. In our sister nations, there were events in Jersey (Channel Islands), Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

We had endorsement from the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, for GDOP across the UK ‘...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'.  GDOP London had support from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and involved thousands of Christians across all boroughs, full report: www.gdoplondon.com.

This year, God was clearly calling His people in the UK to unity in the place of prayer during the shaking that is affecting our economic and political systems. Many reports spoke of ‘a strong sense of urgency' and at the same time ‘the strong presence of God' - ‘it had a touch of glory about ‘(Beverley) as well as seeing wonderful answers to prayer.

The 10 days of prayer provided another catalyst for 24/7 prayer which is taking place in many ways across our nation. Most of the locations participated by running different types of prayer rooms following the GDOP prayer themes, e.g. in York they had 15 prayer rooms around the city and in London the M25 Nutcracker initiative mobilised 10 prayer rooms around the M25.  

Deeper level of prayer. As groups of Christians gathered on hillsides, in parks, in city squares, in cathedrals, churches, along city walls, in a university, a football stadium on Pentecost Sunday the Holy Spirit was at work ‘The prayer time based on 2 Chronicles 7 v 14 was I believe the beginning of a call to a deeper level of prayer in the city of Sunderland.' ‘The time of repentance was sobering, but a shift was experienced during the prayer for the Holy Spirit to come. Isaiah 64:1 was quoted with the emphasis on the "OH! ...That You would REND the Heavens and COME DOWN!"  

Christian Unity. All speak of the joy of meeting together with other Christians across the denominations. ‘The reports from Northern Ireland speak of the encouragement at the growing unity among local churches taking part'. In Ipswich, 3000 Christians gathered as most of the churches closed their morning services (for the first time in living memory!). For Churches Together in Beckenham ‘This is a new, fresh start for CTiB.

Joy, praise and all age involvement. A notable feature of many of the reports is the sense of celebration, joy and fun. Banners were held high, shofars and trumpets resounded Gods' praise. Picnics and cream teas provided a gathering place from which to pray. Creative prayer stations and interactive prayer rooms enabled all the generations to take part.  ‘We had banners. We had prayer and rejoicing... it is exciting to see our unity grow. It leads us to expect great things as God keeps His promises!'

Involving churches  Following the lead of GDOP in London last year, all churches across London and many across the UK were invited to join in with GDOP in their morning services and many have done so, thus involving more people in praying for the nations of the world.   York Minster hosted its 5h GDOP prayer event and ‘this year Sunday May 31st history was made in York, as Christians climbed the ancient walls of the city and prayed there at 5.45 pm. Hundreds and hundreds of watchmen from churches of every spectrum joined in prayer as trumpets blew to trigger different attitudes of prayer'. After which 1200 gathered for a 2 hour dynamic prayer celebration.  ‘Global Day of Prayer 2009 was certainly a day that the churches of York will remember for a long time to come. Many commented that this was the greatest of the five years we have celebrated together'.

Developing Partnerships with the Church, community leaders and  government leaders. In recent years, God has been opening doors for the church to become more connected to those in leadership in local community and national government. Many of the events organised welcomed Lord Mayors, leaders of borough councils and Chief Constables. ‘There is a partnership developing in Swansea between representatives of the church, the police and the City Council. This was reflected as the Lord Mayor and the Chief Constable addressed the crowd'.

Prayer and action: answers to prayer.  In Northampton they did ‘Faith on the Streets just before Pentecost Sunday and together with the Festival we seen 18 people saved, 40 others wanting follow up literature and 220 questionnaires completed'. In another town in England someone just out of prison came to faith in Jesus. In N Ireland a group ‘were prompted onto the streets in practical prayer.  On Friday night a team met individuals as they came out of the pubs and served them hot drinks whilst taking opportunities to share God's love with them and even pray with them'.  And in Luton ‘after praying lots for the police on Wednesday during our 10 Days of Prayer sessions Bedfordshire Police reported ZERO Burglaries, Zero Vehicle Crimes,  Zero Robberies. There had been rioting in Luton last Sunday, so we thank God for answering our prayers and giving us this encouragement'. In Bristol they report ‘we heard fantastic stories from the St Paul's Prayer Patrol of how the police are requesting their presence at trouble spots around Bristol'.

And the future?

Well, the mobilisation of prayer and action by the Holy Spirit across our nations continues. GDOP is just one of the initiatives that God is using to link us together to pray and work for transformation both in our local communities and for our nations.  We need to continue to press on to seek God for His will and to work for His Kingdom to come. GDOP Dates next year: 13-22 May 10 days of prayer, 23 May GDOP, 24 May - 21 Aug 90 days of blessings.  The Prayer Forum website will seek to keep the information flowing - sign up if you haven't already done so. World Prayer Centre is hosting a national day of prayer on 17th October 2009 at NEC ‘The Presence' all are invited! (www.worldprayer.org.uk)

More information

Thanks!


Jane Holloway UK GDOP co-ordinator
(National Prayer Director, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham, England) 












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