Although there have been various initiatives from churches and communities across London, one that remains focused, inclusive and consistent is Pray4Youth UK – with its highly regarded inter-Church collaborations and prayer events plus ongoing intervention work with various community leaders and members of the public.

A last event saw approximately 500 people in attendance. The objective was simple – collective prayer and intercession for the saving and transformation of young people engaged in gangs and violent criminal activities.

Prayers were strategic, informed and passionate, interwoven with spirit-filled worship and insightful, thought-provoking talks given by youth workers, project leaders and a mother whose son was recently stabbed.

Former gang members gave candid, eye-opening accounts of their violent criminal pasts, the contributing factors that led them into gang lifestyles and their journey to transformation. They spoke of the toxic combination of fear and anger that fuels violence in young people and urged those present to approach and engage with young people rather than ‘crossing to the other side’ to avoid them.

Powerful exhortations by church leaders reminded the Church of her importance in rebuilding lives and through prayer, love and proactivity bringing transformation to a community gripped by fear and hopelessness. Many who attended the prayer events immediately took to social media to share the “life-changing” impact it’s had on them, with one sceptic reporting that he was now “convinced that the Church is the solution” to the violent epidemic on our streets.

The next Pray4Youth UK event will be on Friday 31st May 2019 in Tottenham. See flyer below for more details.