Around eighty per cent of the public say they have things to pray about while women are more likely to pray than men. They're some of the findings of an ICM survey conducted for the Church of England.
Those taking part were asked what they would pray for.
- 31% said world peace.
- 27% said an end to world poverty.
- 26% said a family member
- 22% said healing
- Just 14% said they wouldn't pray.
When it comes to men and women, 85% of women admitted to praying while 76% men cited something they would pray for. Those over sixty five were most likely to seek God's help in something while those between thirty five and forty least likely. Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith is the Bishop of St Albans.
Speaking on Premier's News Hour he told Des Busteed he wasn't all that surprised by the findings.
The survey was conducted in the run up to Easter when Christians remember, amongst other things, the time Jesus prayed for himself, his disciples and all believers. Dr Jonathan Oloyede is the founder of the National Day of Prayer and Worship. He tells Premier often people pray when they have no one else to turn to.
The Church of England is inviting everyone to submit prayers to its special website from which posts are passed on to church groups to commit to God. In its first year prayoneforme.org has received over one thousand prayers. The page also has guidance on how to pray and introduces some of those who are praying over the issues.