A pop legend and one of the nation’s most senior Bishop’s are among thousands of Christians to add their weight to a major new prayer campaign launched by Tearfund this week. Their support comes as churches prepare to pray for the world’s poor during Global Poverty Prayer Week (12th-18th November).
Sir Cliff Richard, Tearfund Vice President and The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu are just two of the high profile figures to add their prayers to Tearfund’s new Global Poverty Prayer Chain, a collection of prayers about poverty from Brazil to Birmingham and New Zealand to Nigeria (www.bepartofamiracle.org).
Actress Tamsin Grieg (Green Wing and The Archers), Rev Nicky Gumbel, founder of the Alpha Course, Baroness Caroline Cox, President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Pete Grieg, one of founders of 24-7 Prayer, have also added their prayers to the online prayer chain.
Sir Cliff Richard’s prayer says, “The world You gave us is so perfect that the ugliness man has etched out on it is in stark contrast to its beauty. Make us compassionate, make us understanding, and make us willing to do whatever it takes to rid our planet of poverty and its scars.”
Archbishop Sentamu’s prayer says, “Lord let love and justice pervade our environment so that peace will flower; through Christ the Prince of peace.” (Based on a prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero)
Matthew Frost, Tearfund Chief Executive, adds his prayer to the Global Poverty Prayer Chain.
Matthew Frost, Chief Executive of Tearfund says, “I firmly believe prayer changes things. As I’ve travelled in the developing world, I’ve been humbled and inspired by the way that people pray as a normal part of life. For many, prayer is the only place to go. Prayer is how they see things change.”
When one in every two children alive today lives in poverty, the need for prayer for the developing world is overwhelming. Adds Matthew Frost, “That’s why we’re asking Christians to focus their prayers on the people who daily live in poverty – those living with HIV/Aids, who lack clean water or who live with the daily realities of a changing climate.”
Worship leader Tim Hughes, Roger Forster, Founder of Ichthus and Katie Kirby, of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance share their prayers in an inspirational DVD to help churches pray for the poor.
24-7 prayer has also lent their support to the week. Phil Togwell, 24-7 UK Team leader says, “All over the UK 24-7 has helped people learn to talk to God. Now we want to encourage everyone to use their voice to make a difference in world poverty.”
To mark the week, churches throughout the country will be hosting a range of prayer events including a prayer bus travelling around the capital to prayer breakfasts and 24-7 prayer rooms.