LONDON, ENGLAND (ANS) -- Over 32,000 Christians who gathered at the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOP) at Wembley Stadium on September 29, representing a combination of different church denominations, other church affiliations and independent churches, committed themselves to work with Samaritan’s Purse and with churches overseas, to reach children across the globe with the Gospel.

NDOP Jonathan Oloyede and Samaritan's Purse UK Executive Director Simon Barrington praying for the world's children

Following a moving performance by a children’s choir of a specially written song, ‘I Am Not Forgotten’, prayers echoed around the stadium that God would increase everyone’s passion to reach every child with the Good News.

“The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to reach the world’s children, to show them God’s love and to tell them about Jesus,” said Samaritan’s Purse UK Executive Director Simon Barrington.

He added: “The whole programme is bathed in prayer and over the past 22 years the prayers and actions of God’s people around the world have impacted the lives of 94 million children. This year we’re praying that we’ll be able to reach our 100 millionth child, with your help.”

The children's choir in their traditional costumes (photo by www.jordanmary.com)

Children dressed in traditional costumes from the around the world then prayed the same prayer, in several languages, for children across the planet.

NDOP Convener Jonathan Oleyede then asked everyone to hold hands in unity, to pray that Samaritan's Purse would reach their 100 millionth child this year and that another 100 million children would be reached through Operation Christmas Child and through the local church.
He then told everyone that they had a part to play, that everyone needed to make a fresh commitment to reach every child with the Gospel.

Everyone stood to declare: 'We agree, in the name of Jesus, to reach children for Jesus!' Finally everyone was asked to encourage five people around them saying ‘We’re in this together.’

To find out how your church can get involved in the UK’s largest children’s Christmas project – which ends on November 18th – please visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/churches

Peter Wooding is an award-winning TV, radio and print journalist and media consultant under the name of Peter Wooding Productions (www.peterwoodingproductions.com). Having previously spent 10 years as news editor with UCB Radio in the UK, he has travelled extensively reporting from countries including Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Dubai, South Korea, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Croatia, Israel and India. He now reports regularly for CBN News, ASSIST News Service, GDOP London, Russian Ministries, Whispering Word and Sorted Magazine. Peter and wife Sharon live in North Wales, UK with their three children. Passionate to see God’s Justice and Mercy impact lives, Peter is director of a new UK ministry Mercy Projects International (www.mercyproject.org.uk) to help at-risk young people in Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Kosovo, the Middle East and beyond. Contact Peter for consultation at: peter@peterwoodingproductions.com or tel. +44 1244 549167/+44 7500 903067