MEMBERS of Stourbridge churches will be hitting the town centre on Ash Wednesday, offering to say a prayer for the people they meet.

As part of the Pray One for Me scheme, Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher, and diocesan secretary Robert Higham will be among those collecting prayers.

Between 11am and 12.30pm on Wednesday, February 18, they will be approaching members of the public to ask them for their prayer requests, which will be written on prayer cards to be used later at Ash Wednesday services.

The day is a date in the Christian calendar when the focus of attention is on being sorry for the wrong things to be done.

Many churches have Ash Wednesday services at which worshippers are marked with ashes as a symbol of death and sorrow for sin.

Church leaders from across the Diocese of Worcester will be taking part in the scheme, with Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, taking to Worcester High Street, and the Archdeacon of Dudley, Nikki Groarke, out and about in Droitwich.

Dr Inge said: “Each Ash Wednesday we head out on to the streets of the Diocese offering to pray for individuals.

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

“Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, which is an important time in the Christian calendar and it’s a good time to focus on the difference that prayer can make.”