More than 800 people attended HTB’s annual new year’s eve prayer party, celebrating midnight by letting off party poppers as ballloons fell from a net on the ceiling.

The event was hosted by Prayer Director Jeremy Jennings, who began the evening by leading everyone in the Confession followed by the General Thanksgiving. Worship was led by Tim Hughes and an HTB band.

A film was shown which picked up highlights of the HTB year and news events from the year, including the disappearance of Madelleine McCann and the assassination of Benazier Bhutto.

Prayers were said for the ‘peace of Jerusalem, along with the situations in Iraq, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Sudan, Kenya and Pakistan.

There was also a time of prayer for the persecuted church, particularly in Iraq and North Korea.

The Hope 08 video hosted by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Martyn Atkins, President of the Methodist conference, was shown and prayers were said for ongoing evangelism in the UK and around the world, particularly in relation to Alpha courses.

There were prayers for London churches and for the continued growth of the church in London. There was also an opportunity to pray in small groups for personal spiritual growth.

At the end, sparkling wine, orange juice and mince pies were served.