Virtual prayers were said across churches in Castleford on Sunday

Smawthorne Community Church came up with the idea after reading about prayer searches on Google becoming more prevalent during lockdown.
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And Graham Earnshaw of Smawthorne Community Church said they decided to act and bring all the churches together.

He said: “I saw a statistic that showed one in four people have googled prayer since lockdown, which is a massive jump compared to the numbers we’d usually see in church.

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“We saw this and decided to take responsibility and pray for the people in our community.

Eight churches across Castleford engaged in a virtual prayer for the communityEight churches across Castleford engaged in a virtual prayer for the community
Eight churches across Castleford engaged in a virtual prayer for the community

“Of course everyone has been affected by Covid so the virtual prayer session with the other churches in the area is our way of showing them we care.”

The churches met for the first time virtually on Zoom on Sunday and are planning more prayers as well as giving the sessions the#PrayForCas.

Members of Smawthorne Community Church wrote to the other local Churches Castleford inviting them to join in.

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Pastor Paul Howells from Smawthorne Community Church said: “We want to stand with our town and we want to show that we care during this difficult time.

Smawthrone Community Church Minister with a #PrayForCas posterSmawthrone Community Church Minister with a #PrayForCas poster
Smawthrone Community Church Minister with a #PrayForCas poster

"One way we can do this is through prayer”.

The other churches taking part included The Five Towns Christian Fellowship, Christ Church, Cutsyke Christian Church, The Salvation Army, The Church of England, St Joseph’s Church and Trinity Methodist Church.

Graham Earnshaw said: “In the first session we prayed for our key workers, then in future sessions we’ll be focusing on local businesses, the government and other churches in the area.

“We’re also hoping to move onto praying for people’s personal issues; groups and individuals who need it, those who are suffering with mental health problems as well as covid anxieties, these are real issues people are grappling with during this situation.”

To find out more see the #PRAYFORCAS website or visit the Facebook page