Christian organisations and churches plan national week of prayer for UK

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Christians from around the UK and British Isles are being urged to join church leaders and Christian organisations, NGOs and civil society in a National Week of Prayer from 12-20 October.

The campaign, which has been created from a partnership - including Open Doors UK & Ireland, 24-7 Prayer, CARE, the Evangelical Alliance and other national prayer networks - is hoping to gather Christians from across the four nations to humble ourselves, repent and pray for lives to be transformed by Jesus, and to see a spiritual awakening in the nations.

Organisers are encouraging people across all four nations of the UK and British Isles to organise their own local events or to attend events in their region and focus on prayer for various areas of society, including education, politics and the arts. The week will include an event at the Emmanuel Centre - close to the Houses of Parliament in London - on Wednesday 16 October, where hundreds will gather to remember the good things God has done across the nations and what He continues to do.

Kamesh Flynn, the project co-ordinator, says: "Throughout the past few months, we have been humbled at how open and engaged people across the nations have been in committing to praying for the nation as a Church collectively. No matter the denomination, individual area of influence, or whether you are gathering three people or 3,000 people, we believe this is a moment for the UK to return to God and flourish in the identity found in Him."

Church leaders from across denominations have been quick to throw their support behind the campaign.

Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Archbishop of London says: "There is nothing more powerful for us to do, than to pray. Stand together, pray together. When we gather together, the Lord is in our midst. This week of prayer, let us pray for our nation for those deprived the right to believe or have their own faith."

The Lord Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Philip Mountstephen commented: "We are an empowered people and in the Spirit we can pray to the creator of the universe and believe that things can and will change. Let us pray!"

Father Dominic Robinson SJ, from Central London Catholic Churches says: "We want to invite you to gather for the National Week of Prayer as Christians together, remembering our need for God, thanking God for His great gifts, and praying as Christians together for the reawakening of the soul of our nation."

Partners for the National Week of Prayer include Open Doors UK & Ireland, 24-7 Prayer, CARE, the Evangelical Alliance, Christians in Government, the City Prayer Breakfast, Christians in Politics, the National Day of Prayer and Worship, Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, Conservative Christian Fellowship, the Coptic Orthodox Church, Christians on the Left, transformwork, Local Houses of Prayer, Word & Worship, and the Christian Embassy London.

For more details see: www.nationalweekofprayer.uk/