Children and young people from across the Methodist Church have written prayer texts for the Lent season.

People are being invited to sign up to receive the daily prayers by texting LENT on 66777, charged at standard network rate.

The texts are free to receive and are aimed at children and young people.

One prayer text, written by Olivia aged 12 from the Croydon Methodist Circuit, reads: "Lord, please help those in poverty who go to sleep hungry at night. We pray that when the G8 leaders meet in the UK they help to bring an end to hunger this year."

The texts will be sent at around 12:30pm each day, including on Sundays.

Syntiche Dedji, 21, has also contributed prayer texts.

She said: "I thought that it was a really inspiring thing to do. I read a devotion every day so I know how inspiring they can be. You never know what someone is going through. Reading a prayer text can make a difference. They are quick and easy to receive and read."

Ayo Osideinde, Children and Youth Development Support Officer, said: "The Lent text prayers are an opportunity for young people to minister to other young people through prayer. Prayer and spirituality are an important aspect of 3Generate (Methodist Children and Youth Assembly).

"This has become clear from the feedback we have had from young people. Many of the discussions at 3Generate are about living as a disciples and how to weave God into every aspect of daily life."