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London Mayor to attend West Ham Stadium Prayer Event

West Ham's stadium Upton Park, which is normally used to the sound of football (soccer) fans cheering on their team, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson will join thousands of Christians from across the capital and the country for a national day of prayer on June 13, reports Peter Wooding,

Europe Bureau Chief for ASSIST News Service.

Boris Johnson is a strong supporter of the Global Day of Prayer initiative, having attended their previous stadium event at Millwall in 2008.

The Mayor said: “I'm delighted to be joining thousands of Christians of all denominations and backgrounds, united in common purpose in the most important act of Christian worship - the act of prayer.

“So much of the good that is done in London is done by people of faith. I salute these acts of service, and commend all those who put their faith in action to effect positive change in our city and beyond.”

Despite still recovering from surgery after a stabbing attack, Stephen Timms MP will host a leader’s reception at the stadium prior to the event, also attended by London’s Mayor.

The MP for East Ham, in the constituency where the event will take place, said: “Global Day of Prayer is a fantastic event. It attracts a very large number of people coming together with tremendous exuberance and a very strong sense of prayer and worship as well.

“For me it’s the basis for future service to the community. What I want to see is more people coming to serve their communities from the starting point of prayer and worship. That’s the kind of celebration we will be taking part in at the Global Day of Prayer.”

Being a former Muslim from Nigeria, Global Day of Prayer London Convener Jonathan Oloyede is an unlikely candidate to launch this initiative. He believes his organisation’s prayer movement has helped make a positive difference in communities across the capital particularly in tackling gun and knife crime: “We believe it’s a result of the church rising up in united prayer, praying for our young people. It’s not all eradicated but that has changed dramatically.”

The event, which is expected to attract 25,000 people, will include performances from a wide range of Gospel artists and worship leaders including X Factor finalist Beverley Trotman, Graham Kendrick, Noel Robinson and the All Souls Orchestra, followed by prayers for some of the most pressing social need in the capital and the nation.

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TAGS: United Kingdom West Ham Stadium Prayer Event Boris Johnson national day of prayer Global Day of Prayer

[06/10/2010]

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