AN ENGLISH bishop has begged his flock to "turn to the Lord in prayer and fasting" during Lent.
Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue of Lancaster made the appeal in a pastoral letter, read out in churches on Sunday.
He wrote: "We all have so much to pray for but let the main intention be 'Peace'. Let us pray for peace between all nations we think of the Middle East and especially the nations of Iraq, Israel and Palestine. Let pray for each and every person who lives in those lands.
"Let us pray for peace in the hearts of those who govern that the Holy Spirit of God may inspire them in their search for peaceful resolutions.
"Let us pray for peace in all our hearts that this season of Lent may lead us all to the hope that Springs eternally from the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
"May I ask you all to pray fervently and to make next Wednesday —Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent, Days of Prayer and Fasting. I am confident that if we persevere in this we shall see the Lord's blessing of Peace."