Church's answer phone line to God

Samares Church: Text and internet requests could follow

People can leave a message on a phone line asking worshippers at a Jersey Methodist Church to pray for them.

Samares Methodist Church believes its prayer line is the first of its kind and will be made permanent if a trial is a success.

Minister Henry Le Ruez says anyone can phone their request for any subject and people at his church will pick it up and include it in their prayers.

The move comes as Methodist worshippers in Jersey start 24 hours of prayer.

Web requests

Mr Le Ruez said that the idea came to him after he was asked by people in the street to say a prayer for them.

"We want to be as community friendly as possible," he said.

"Anyone can use the service. It could be someone who is going through a crisis, they don't have to leave their names.

"People sometimes just want to know how to share something with people."

The idea could be extended to text and internet requests via the church's website.

"I am very excited about it," said Mr le Ruez.

The number of the prayer line is 01534 856048.