32,000 Christians Pray and Worship at Wembley

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32,000 people arrived at Wembley Stadium on Saturday for the National Day of Prayer and Worship.

The close to seven hour event saw thousands pray continuously for the UK. The day was also backed by around 200 Christian organisations including Tearfund, The Salvation Army and World Prayer Centre.

Worship leaders including Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and Noel Robinson led the multi generational congregation in praise and worship throughout the afternoon.

Thousands gather to pray

(c) Brodie Robertson

Unity and mission were two major themes of the day as those gathered asked God to send revival. Prayers ranged from those of thanksgiving for the success of summer events such as the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee to requests for God to “heal our land”.

The event was endorsed by figures ranging from the Mayor of London Boris Johnson to The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

The historic day marked the fulfillment of a vision founder Jonathan Oloyede had 20 years ago.

Tim Hughes

(c) Brodie Robertson

Speaking on stage at the beginning of the day, Dr Oloyede said: “I was in prayer and I saw thousands upon thousands of Christian worshipping God. But the stadium I saw was not the old Wembley stadium, it was a new one and this was in 1992.

“I didn’t understand the vision until I saw a stadium reconstructed in place of the old one. The Lord said 'when my people gather I am the one who speaks'. So today, the Lord is going to speak to us because he’s going to unite us.

“I had another vision. People were praying in small groups of 5s, 15s 500s and 5000s and they were praying the Lord’s prayer and the Lord said 'my people are already in place. Don’t start anything new, just join the dots.' This joining of the dots is going to be north, east, south and west.”

“Every single one of us have been positioned across this nation. You are the baton and the torch God is going to use. From across the British isles we are united! I want us to declare Jesus as Lord across our towns our cities and our villages.”

Speaking to Christian.co.uk at the event, Tim Hughes said: “It’s great for such a significant landmark venue to be filled with Christians worshipping and praying”. 

Lara Martin, who also led worship on the day said: "Wembley Stadium becomes a house of worship. What an amazing day! The church of Jesus Christ making His praises loud!"

Organisers said they want the event at Wembley to have a “lasting legacy” and have encouraged attendees to support a new Neighbourhood Prayer Network that aims to see every street in the UK covered in Christian prayer.

For more pictures, view our slideshow below: