My Christian faith is precious to me and I seek to follow the teachings of Jesus every day. Lent is a good time to remind me that Jesus needed time in prayer and contemplation to connect with His heavenly father.

He would frequently take himself off to be alone and away from the crowds.

The temptation in today’s busy technological world with mobile phones, emails and the internet is to say ‘I am too busy’. Every year I am challenged to set time aside away from the noise of everyday life to connect with God by prayer and scripture reading.

As I do this and listen to God’s Holy Spirit prompting me, often through the words of the Bible, my daily life is brought closer to what He would have me be. My prayer is to know and love Jesus more and be used by Him to bless others.

Andrew R Pratt, Blackburn Diocese Bishop's adviser and co-ordinator for Inter-faith Work