Millions of people did it when footballer Fabrice Muamba collapsed. Most people do it at least once in their lives. Many people do it daily. And this year, more people than ever are doing it together as well as individually.

Prayer is making headlines. Prompted by headlines on the front page of The Sun and even on the side of Scottish buses, people are talking about prayer and expecting God to answer.

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and from Friday, 7 September, to Sunday, 9 September, Christians all over the UK will be using the prayer Jesus taught, as they all pray together, wherever they are: "Our Father…your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."

All Praying Together is a united weekend of prayer and fasting by individuals and churches of all denominations as part of HOPE – the national mission movement. It links with the cascade of prayer taking place throughout the Olympic Games and culminating in the National Day of Prayer, on Saturday, 29 September, when thousands of Christians will be praying all together at Wembley Stadium.

Roy Crowne, executive director of HOPE, said: "We know we have a powerful God and that prayer can change situations. As ambassadors of God's heavenly kingdom let's be praying as well as responding to needs in our villages, towns and cities.

"All Praying Togetherfocuses on prayer for God to renew the Church, equipping us to reach out into our communities in words and action."

Plans to hold the All Praying Together weekend began at HOPE's Leaders' Forum held at the end of 2011 when the event's host, Pastor Agu Irukwu, senior pastor at Jesus House, described the Church as "a body of reformers" and said "unity is on God's heart at this point in time". He called on the leaders at the forum to lead their churches fasting and praying for the UK.

Pastor Agu has also contributed an article on prayer and fasting to HOPE for Harvest, the latest book published by HOPE to encourage churches to do more, together in mission, in words and actions.

Pastor Agu writes: "The more seriously we approach prayer and fasting, the more serious the results we will experience in our missional journey."

Resources and ideas for All Praying Together will be available from HOPE. They include:

• Material around the Anglican lectionary passages that many will follow on Sunday, 9 September
• A formal liturgy
• Creative ideas for different styles of prayer
• Ideas for children's prayers
• Links to a wide range of prayer resources
• Resources for fasting
• The Methodist Church's new book of prayers

Visit www.hopetogether.org.uk for resources on prayer and fasting and sign up on the HOPE website to receive news of All Praying Together and the new resources as they are released.