Christians join Heahrow 'Flashmob' to pray.'

Christians from Christian Ecology Link joined a 'flashmob' at London Heathrow on Saturday 17th January to pray against airport expansion. (Photo (c) Amy Scaife )

Hundreds of campaigners congregated in the Terminal 5 Departures area in response to the Government's recent announcement in support of a third runway.

At 12 noon the campaigners revealed their red 'Stop Airport Expansion' T shirts and Christians knelt to pray in the hope that the runway would not be built and that humans might learn to live lightly on God's Earth. Christians around the UK supported the action by praying with the protestors at midday. The Christians then joined with the other protestors in throwing red sponge balls at masks of the Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, and the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, before dispersing peacefully.

Ruth Jarman, Trustee of Christian Ecology Link, said "In giving the go-ahead to this expansion the Government has chosen to lead the world towards climate meltdown, for purely short term economic growth. This blinkered focus on financial gain above all else is nothing short of idolatry, of which our Scriptures have a lot to say. We were there to speak against this madness and to pray for the success of the campaign to stop airport expansion in the UK".

Christians around the country were encouraged to support the action by praying with the protestors at 12 noon .

The Christians at Heathrow and some around the country prayed the following:

Tread Gently

Blessed are you who tread gently on the earth

for you will be part of the new creation.

Blessed are you who share its resources now

for you will also share in the feast prepared for all people.

Blessed are you who weep at the destruction of the land

for you will laugh and dance in green fields.

Blessed are you when you are hated and insulted because you show up

the folly of others who do not share your concern for the earth and its people.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because you shall dwell with God

But woe to you who exploit the earth,

for you have already received your comfort.

Woe to you who are greedy and ensure your own wants are met without

a thought for the toil of others,

for you will go hungry.

Woe to you who laugh as factories pump waste into rivers,

as exhaust fumes fill the skies,

as unprotected workers inhale pesticides,

for you will mourn and weep.

Woe to you when bankers and shareholders speak well of your profits

and ignore your ethics,

for the Lord knows the secrets of the heart.

By Jenny Spouge

From Wisdom is Calling, edited by Geoffrey Duncan

Father of all creation,

we ask that you will use all these people here

to unmask, name and engage the powers that be

so that there will be no airport expansion in this country.

Inspire and empower us to turn over the tables of this proposal

so that humanity may tread gently on your earth once again.

Amen