Here in the British Isles (which includes Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Ireland) we have seen
how the Global Day of Prayer initiative has acted as an important catalyst for unity, prayer and
action over these past 6 years. The sun shone on Pentecost Sunday enabling Christians to gather
in over 70 different locations across our family of nations. Prayer services, prayer meetings and
prayer celebrations took place in city squares, in Cathedrals, in churches, in a marquee, in parks
and on city walls. Many leaders picked up strongly the scriptures from Joel 2, which had provided
the framework for the 10 days of prayer, sensing the need for repentance by God’s church before
we can see the transformation we long for. We have seen:
A deeper commitment to the 10 days of prayer. In Northern Ireland
10 different towns took responsibility for providing a 24 hour venue
open to all denominations. In Medway (Kent) 24 prayer centres
were open and on the Sunday morning BBC Radio Kent broadcast a
live interview on their Sunday programme. York Minister had a
prayer tent in the middle of the Cathedral.
A renewed appreciation of the richness of our culture. Many
groups share of how Christians from different nations took the lead
in praying for the 5 continents of the world
with prayers being prayed in different
languages and national costumes worn. In
Leeds Christians unfurled a 60 x 30’ banner
consisting of over 120 flags of nationalities
living in city of Leeds.
An expectation that God does answer
prayer! In the Channel Islands in the Royal Square in St Helier Jersey in front of the Parliament
building the first every united GDOP event was held (building on a long tradition of united prayer
& mission across the island). One focus for prayer was the new potato industry as yields were less
than 50% of normal and the ground was too dry to plant for later crops. From the foundation of 2
Chronicles 7.13 they prayed in earnest, and two days later it rained hard all night! In
Northampton their Faith on the Streets initiative in which they sent teams of people representing
12 churches out in the town centre during the 10 days of prayer with questionnaires and
invitations to GDOP saw lots of conversations with 13 people making commitments to follow
Jesus and many more wanting further information.
A renewed commitment to pray for both big and small issues. ‘We gathered in Armagh because
we believe God wants to shift something in the heart of the church. Our time of intercessory
prayer touched on very timely and sensitive issues. It seemed appropriate therefore to pray for the
church recognising our failings, our need for God’s love and grace, and for the Holy Spirit to guide
and give us ability to listen and to obey. A priest then gave an inspirational discourse on the issue
of child abuse within the church. There was also a very moving testimony of a father who lost his
son through suicide. We had a time of prayer into these issues and the problems of alcohol and
drug addition affecting many young people and families. This concluded with a very passionate
prayer ending with the cry, “Jesus the door of Ireland is open, come rushing in!” The use of
personal testimony and telling the stories of what God has done in a community, in a town/city
was another common feature this year. Other themes that strongly emerged are prayer for those
being persecuted for their faith around the world, for our governments (local and national) as
well as for unreached people groups and people trafficking issues.
A growing desire to want to meet to pray anywhere! GDOP here is not
so much about large events in stadiums, but about gathering to pray in
unity across different denominations for local, national and global
issues. In York, Norwich and Peel (Isle of Man) it was in their
Cathedrals. In Edinburgh it was on Blackford Hill overlooking the city.
In Medway it was in a great marquee. In Sunderland – outside the
Council Offices. In Ireland it was in the market square in Armagh the
ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. In Swansea, one group met on a hilltop overlooking the city, the
other was at County Hall. In many places local churches opened their doors for united events.
The UK capital – London – celebrated GDOP in a number of ways:
The 10 day prayer guide & Prayer for the World were distributed by email to most churches.
On Pentecost Sunday events were held in each of the London boroughs (around 42 events in all)
The M25 Nutcracker initiative took place for a week following Pentecost Sunday mobilising prayer
around the M25 motorway with prayer stations at 13 different junctions.
Global Day of Prayer London hosted a national prayer event
on June 13th at West Ham stadium thousands gathered from
across the capital and nation. Prayers were offered for a
wide range of issues: including our government, youth, the
persecuted church and the church. Different gospel artists,
worship leaders & dancers took part. Support was given by a
number of MPs and the Mayor of London joined in the day.
‘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’.
And the work goes on as through the 90 days of mission for example Christians across Ireland
have been invited to do ‘random acts of kindness’ e.g. flower sending, free hugging, petrol buying,
shoe shining, free ironing, garden weeding, sick visiting.
If you want to know more click on the links.
GDOP 2010 British Isles Feedback report
