History of the London Prayer Loop
London Prayer LOOP Walk – The story so far
A few years ago, I had a stirring in my heart to prayer walk the Sandstone Trail in Cheshire. As I prayed into this idea, I went forward for some prayer ministry in my local church. The person who prayed with me shared she had a picture of a sandstone. She knew nothing about what was on my mind! I waited until someone else said they would prayer walk with me and in August 2017 I completed this prayer assignment with a good friend.
Not long after this, on a visit to London, I came across a wooden post with the London LOOP logo on. When I saw the London LOOP logo, I had a strong prompting to do some prayer walking in London. The same day I went onto Transport for London website and discovered information about the London LOOP route. As I looked at their online map, I immediately saw the potential of prayer walking the whole of the outside of London.
As I prayed further God led me to share this idea with others and over a couple of months everything came together so that all 24 sections (in total 150 miles) of the London LOOP were prayer walked over three Saturdays in June and July 2018. The positive feedback encouraged us to invite individuals, prayer groups and churches from inside and outside London in 2019 to organise a prayer walk of a section or sections of the London LOOP over a three-day period in June. Almost every section was covered in prayer to the glory of God. I was also given the opportunity to ask listeners on UCB and Premier Christian Radio to pray for London and consider prayer walking the London LOOP. Over the years since I have had opportunities to share about the London Prayer Loop and encourage prayer for London on Christian media including UCB, Premier Christian Radio, Revelation TV and TWR. Thanking God for this.
In 2018 and 2019 our main prayer focus was praying for an end to knife and gun crime. Praying for peace on the streets of London. In 2019 we also prayed for the well of salvation to be opened and for the glory of God.
In 2020 and 2021 we were unable to encourage people to go out physically to prayer walk the London Loop because of the pandemic. This inspired us to virtually prayer walk the London Loop. Since that time 503 people have participated in virtually prayer walking the London Loop. We also established the London Prayer Loop Zoom community which continues to meet on the first Tuesday of the month in the evening and the third Wednesday of the month in the morning. If you would like to join either of these Zoom groups contact us.
We have had a number of in person prayer gatherings as part of the London Prayer Loop. In 2019 we prayed in the Holy Trinity Brompton prayer 24/7 prayer space. In 2019, 2022 and 2023 we prayed in the chapel at Methodist Central Hall Westminster.
In addition to the Zooms mentioned on our gun and knife crime web page in 2022 we held a Zoom prayer meeting around some keywords laid upon our hearts that year. They were dedicate, intercede, lament and bless. There were opportunities to go into breakout groups to pray in response. In 2023 on the Friday evening of the London Prayer Loop we gathered on Zoom to pray for the streets of London. We prayed for London City Mission as part of this time as we had committed to pray for them throughout that year.
As people prayer walk the London LOOP they pray for the things they are concerned about as well as the land they were walking on, the people they see and the places they pass. They are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. There have been opportunities for some people to chat to people they meet.
Scriptures for the London Prayer Loop
2018 – “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)
2019- “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9 (NIV)
2020 – “For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfil my vows.” Psalm 22:24-25 (NIV)
2021 - “Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate]; Reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek and search diligently for the Lord [and to long for His blessing] Until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you.” Hosea 10:12 (AMP)
2022 – “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind. Like new-born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)
2023 - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
2024 – “Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness.” Psalm 130:1-4 (NIV)
Lisa Hutt
Director of Prayer Ministry