Prayer

Ethnicities Unite for U.K. Day of Prayer

By George Thomas
CBN News

CWNews.com–--In London, the Global Day of Prayer started with the blowing of the shofar, Israel's ancient call to prayer.

And it quickly turned into a modern-day praise and worship festival, reflecting the wide range of ethnic diversity that is London.

"It's fantastic to see all the churches together," said one worshiper. "Right from Catholic, to Pentecostal, black Pentecostal, Asian churches, see Chinese people here- all the whole range of ethnicities and denominations, all worshipping God together.

Organizers had expected about 10,000 people to come to the soccer stadium in Newham, east London, but reality exceeded their expectations.

Despite the soggy weather and long lines, about 20,000 Christians from across London took part.

One leader said it's a sign that Christianity in England is not dead yet.

"I think something people outside London don't realize is that churches are bursting at the seams, certainly in east London…perhaps right across London actually," the leader said. "A lot of them are ethnic churches, African churches, South American churches, Asian churches. But so many of them are searching for new premises because they're just bursting at the seams. I think that's a real sign of encouragement."

Indeed, the seeds of revival may be sprouting in London's ethnic churches.

The visionary behind the London event is African pastor Jonathan Oloyede.

His mostly African congregation is one of hundreds of ethnic churches that have been started in London in the past decade.

And people from African or Caribbean backgrounds make up two-thirds of all churchgoers in the city.

Oloyede says that events like the Day of Prayer give Christians of all stripes a chance to break down barriers and learn to work together to transform their cultures.

"The Holy Ghost is great at bringing Christians together. And our prayer is that we will be one and continue to be one, so I believe it's been great," Oloyede said.

Christian leaders are calling this the most successful day of prayer event the U.K. has seen.

And they believe it has created a firm foundation for working together to bring revival.