By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service LONDON (ANS) – Churches from across London will converge on Westminster Chapel in central London this Friday to launch the Global Day of Prayer London 2008, and celebrate the completion of London’s prayer marathon.

According to a story on the Christian Today web site, thousands of individuals from hundreds of churches representing Christianity across England’s capital city joined together in continuous prayer for London every minute of each day in 2007.

Christians from every denomination will attend the GDOP launch and celebration, which will kick off with mixed worship and united prayers seeking God’s favour for the United Kingdom, so that individuals, towns and cities are transformed.

Christian Today reported that the launch of the Global Day of Prayer for London will be one of the largest gatherings of Christians in the capital this year when it takes place at Millwall Stadium on May 11 2008. As many as 30,000 people are expected to gather to pray for London, the UK and the world.

The massive prayer event will build on the success of the Global Day of Prayer London gathering in West Ham Stadium, which drew 20,000 Christians from around the world to pray on Pentecost Sunday last year.

“The narrative of the church is the story of prayer,” Dr. Jonathan Oloyede, Assistant Pastor of Glory House church in London and one of the initiators behind the Global Day of Prayer London event, told Christian Today.

He said, “When Christians unite to pray things happen; continents are shaken, movements begin and history is made. I truly believe that this is Britain’s season for change.”

Christian Today said that Oloyede added, “It is our hope that as hundreds of churches come together and thousands of Christians mobilised, we would catch a glimpse of God’s heart for reconciliation, spiritual renewal and community transformation.”

Christian Today reported that the initiative for the Global Day of Prayer originated in South Africa with Graham Power, and has drawn ever growing numbers around the world, with 200 million in 2007.