Analysis on over 1,500 newspaper obituaries in the US found religious affiliation had a big effect on life expectancy.

The study in the Social Psychological and Personality Science Journal claims the social interaction of being involved in a faith community added one year to a person’s life while stress reducing practices like prayer and meditation can also have a big impact.

Lead author of the study and a doctoral student in psychology, Laura Wallace (pictured below, right) said: “We found that volunteerism and involvement in social organisations only accounted for a little less than one year of the longevity boost that religious affiliation provided.

“There’s still a lot of the benefit of religious affiliation that this can’t explain.”

The research, published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science journal, analysed the findings of two previous US studies which examined hundreds of newspapers obituaries.

One study, which looked at 1,100 obituaries from 42 US cities, found religious people tended to live five-and-a-half years longer than the non-religious.

The authors behind the new study combined results from different studies to try and establish whether volunteer work and social interaction explained why a gap in lifespans exists.

Laura Wallace added: “The study provides persuasive evidence that there is…

The research found a positive correlation between religious service attendance and frequency of prayer with having a sound night’s sleep.

Academics found church is a source of psychological support – hope, optimism and sense of meaning – and that social engagement and support at church helps alleviate stress.

Author, Christopher Ellison from the University of Texas at San Antonio said: “This research is relatively uncharted territory that allows us to better understand the way in which religion and spirituality affect a person’s health and overall quality of life.”

Published in the Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, Ellison and his colleagues conflated the findings of several major studies which sought to establish whether a connection exists between religious involvement and sleep patterns.

It follows a previous study in which Ellison concluded people who experience a greater assurance in spiritual salvation were less likely to display symptoms of depression and anxiety – both associated with poorer sleep.

Kathy Spooner, director of counselling and psychotherapy at the Association of Christian Counsellors, said she was “not surprised” by the findings.

Speaking on Premier’s News Hour, she said: “In our core of our being we can, therefore, feel secure because we know that we’re loved by God and that we know that our life has an eternal significance.

“Just…

It was standing-room only at St Helen’s Church in north Kensington, where a few hundred people gathered one year on from the devastating fire.

Decked out in green, with ribbons tied round pillars and scarves on each seat, the church was full of bereaved families, survivors and members of the community united in remembrance.

Local MP Emma Dent Coad, Labour politician David Lammy and barristers taking part in the public inquiry were some of those that attended the 11am service.

The names of the 72 victims were read out, and at noon silence fell across the pews, save for quiet sobbing that filled the air as bereaved families lit candles.

Benches at the front of the church were reserved for families of those who died in the blaze, including relatives of Ali Yawar Jafari, Gary Maunders, Steve Power, Jessica Urbano-Ramirez, Ligaya Moore and the Choucair family, among others.

Clarrie Mendy, who organised the service, prayed for strength and help coming to terms with the knowledge that “72 angels ascended into your heavenly realm on the 14th of June 2017”.

Tottenham MP Mr Lammy, who has a close link with one of the fire’s victims, took the opportunity to reflect on the turmoil that descended a year ago.

He recalled the beauty of his friend Khadija Saye and “all that she had to…

Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Mexico and Columbia are all on the Open Doors World Watch List of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian.

Christians in these countries often face rejection, isolation, denial of rights and freedom, or even violence because of their faith.

Peter Hopper, head of youth at Open Doors, told Premier News Hour: “They are Christians who are very often regarded at the best second class citizens, but then at the worst they’re often actively pursued, imprisoned, or even worse, just because they’ve chosen to follow Jesus.

Saudi Arabia fans in the stands ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018, Group A match at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

“What we want to try and do is shed light on the injustice that happens in a lot of the countries around the world. What we’d like to do is use this as an opportunity to pray as a body.”

A Russia fan in the stands with a replica world cup trophy ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018, Group A match at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

Open Doors have produced Pray while they play, a downloadable resource which highlights the injustice and persecution Christians face on a daily basis.

Country information and prayer points are available to download as cards along with…

Members of the CofE’s governing body will look at overhauling rules on ecumenical relations when they meet in York from July 6-10.

It will mean join worship, mission and ministry between the different denominations becomes much easier.

Dr Joe Aldred of Churches Together in England, who serves as an Ecumenical Representative for Pentecostals on General Synod and is a bishop in the Church of God of Prophecy, welcomed the change.

He said: “This is a great moment for relations between the Church of England and Pentecostal and .tic denominations and congregations, including many black-led churches, as we share the task of building the Kingdom of God in this country.

“In working together and worshipping together our churches have the potential to transform their neighbourhoods.”

Other issues on the Synod agenda include Cathedrals, NHS and safeguarding.

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