A free phone line offering hymns, prayers, and reflections to tens of thousands of callers after church buildings closed because of the coronavirus is to continue despite moves to ease the lockdown restrictions.
Daily Hope, launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in April, has now received 173,000 calls from over 37,000 people – with calls topping more than two million minutes.
The service – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – was set up as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes, especially older people and anyone unable to join online church services.
Stories sent to the Archbishop from across the country share how the service has brought comfort and support during these difficult times. Many who wrote in said they had recommended the line to others.
The service, set up by the Church of England nationally, has also been supported by Connections based at Holy Trinity Claygate in Surrey and the Christian charity Faith in Later Life.
Archbishop Justin said: “Daily Hope has been a lifeline for tens of thousands of people in the last few months. We’ve heard stories of people using it who are regular church attenders and those who aren’t. That’s a testimony to the vital importance of Daily Hope. I have been praying for those who have used the phone line, and written to us, that God would bring them comfort, not just at this time but in the weeks and months which follow. The Church will continue to look to serve older people, and those who can’t easily get out to a church building. I look forward to seeing how Daily Hope can go from strength to strength as lockdown restrictions are eased.”