MEMBERS of churches in Pershore, Broadway and Upton have been hitting the streets this week, and offered to say a prayer for the people they meet.

The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge and the Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher, were among those collecting prayers on Wednesday, February 10.

Along with other clergy and lay people they approached members of the public to ask them for their prayer requests, which were later prayed at Ash Wednesday services.

Prayers were collected at Pershore Abbey, Upton town centre, and Broadway village centre.

Ash Wednesday is a date in the Christian calendar when the focus of attention is on being sorry for the wrong things we have done. Many churches have Ash Wednesday services at which worshippers are marked with ashes as a symbol of death and sorrow for sin.

Bishop John said: “Each Ash Wednesday we head out onto the streets of the Diocese offering to pray for individuals.

"We have always found that people really appreciate somebody taking the time and interest to pray for them and any problems or concerns that they’re currently experiencing.

"The start of Lent is a good time to focus on the difference that prayer can make."