"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray…" 2 Chronicles 7:14
Waltham Forest is home to thousands of children and young people who are growing up in an increasingly complex world. Many face anxiety, loneliness, family breakdown, violence, identity struggles and a lack of hope. Schools are under increasing pressure, youth services are stretched, and many churches are asking how they can effectively reach the next generation. While these challenges are significant, they are not greater than the power of God.
Throughout Scripture, every great move of God has been preceded by His people humbling themselves in prayer. Before revival comes repentance. Before harvest comes intercession. Before transformation comes the Church seeking the face of God together.
Following the "Now Is the Time" gathering, we sensed the Lord calling the Church in Waltham Forest to return to the place of prayer. We believe this is not simply an invitation to pray more — it is a call to pray together with unity, faith and expectation.
Battle Cry is our response to that call. It is a borough-wide prayer movement that seeks to unite churches across every denomination and tradition with one shared purpose: praying for God's Kingdom to come in Waltham Forest and for a generation of young people to encounter Jesus Christ.
We believe that when the Church stands together in prayer:
Our vision is not simply to organise prayer meetings but to raise prayer altars and cultivate a culture of prayer that impacts every church, street, school and young person in Waltham Forest.
To see every church in Waltham Forest united in prayer for the next generation, believing for spiritual renewal across our borough and a generation of young people transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To mobilise churches, leaders, intercessors, families and young people into sustained, strategic and united prayer that prepares the way for God to move powerfully throughout Waltham Forest.
Battle Cry is built on four interconnected levels, enabling every believer to play a part in covering the borough in prayer.
Every two months, church leaders from across Waltham Forest will gather for a Prayer Breakfast, hosted by different churches throughout the borough. Waltham Forest Youth for Christ coordinates these gatherings.
Alongside these gatherings, we encourage every church to intentionally include prayer for the borough during its regular worship services — at least every other Sunday, praying for:
Every church has individuals who carry a particular burden for prayer and intercession. Battle Cry seeks to connect and strengthen these men and women through a weekly online prayer gathering and regular in-person meetings.
These intercessors from across the borough will pray for:
They will also undertake spiritual mapping — prayerfully identifying both the physical and spiritual needs of neighbourhoods — helping build a borough-wide prayer map that informs strategic intercession.
Battle Cry invites every family and individual believer to adopt the street where they live. Each participating household commits to praying for at least 30 minutes every week — for their family, street and neighbours.
That's what this website is for. Register your pledge for your road and, as participation grows, we will build a prayer network that covers every street, every school and every church across Waltham Forest.
Young people are not simply the focus of our prayers; they are called to become people of prayer themselves. Battle Cry seeks to encourage youth leaders and youth groups across the borough to unite in prayer and encourage one another, through:
Our prayer is to raise a generation of young people who know Jesus, love His Church, and boldly live out their faith.
We believe that lasting transformation begins on our knees. Battle Cry is not another programme — it is a movement that calls the Church back to dependence on God.
As churches unite in prayer, we believe God will transform lives, strengthen His Church, bless our schools, restore families, and bring many young people into His Kingdom.
Together, let us lift one united Battle Cry over Waltham Forest.
"Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10