To mark the opening of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Organising Committee is calling for thousands of bells to be rung across our nations. The mass bell ringing on Friday 27th July will begin at 8.12am and will last for 3 minutes. LOCOG are encouraging the tolling of ‘any bell, anyone, anytime’ (www.allthebells.com ). It’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved in a special commission by the Turner Prize-winning artist and musician Martin Creed. 

 

More Than Gold, the agency helping churches make the most of the Games, is calling on Christians and churches everywhere to join in and use this moment to ‘Stop and pray at 8.12am on Friday 27th July for God’s Kingdom to come and for a turning to come in our nations.’

 

The opportunity to get involved in All the Bells comes on the final day of More Than Gold’s 70-day Prayer Relay – a cascade of praise and prayer throughout the UK which began on May 18th and has toured the country running alongside the Olympic Torch Relay. Batons containing prayers have been handed over from community to community and as the torch and the prayer relay have travelled through each area, individuals and churches have taken time to pray for the Games and those involved and for their own communities. 

 

Church leaders have added their encouragement and are urging everyone to get involved in this unique event:  

 

‘This is a fantastic opportunity for Churches to make some noise to show that we support the Olympics and the hard work that all of the athletes have put in. I would urge bell ringing teams in our churches to join in this peal and for as many of us as possible to get together to pray for the 2012 Olympics.’ 

(The Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt.Revd Colin Fletcher)

 

‘This is an opportunity to be part of a prophetic act, a turning point which will shape the future of our nation. Let's make a noise, talk about God, pray for peace, pray for reconciliation and commit to love God's world and his people.’

(Revd Ian Bunce – Head of Mission for the Baptist Union of Great Britain)

 

‘London 2012 has presented the churches and the nation with a wonderful opportunity for positive community engagement. The Salvation Army is delighted to join with this initiative to pray for success and safety for all involved.’

(Lieut.- Colonel Ivor Telfer, The Salvation Army UK and the Republic of Ireland)

 

For some ideas as to how to use this special moment and for some written prayers please go to – www.morethangold.org.uk/prayercall