THE BISHOP of Penrith has encouraged people "to find joy in God, be patient in affliction and be faithful in prayer" during a televised new year’s message.

The rt rev Dr Emma Ineson delivered her message from Kendal Castle and reflected on the need for people to pray for those who have Covid-19, our health professionals, teachers, communities, businesses and leaders.

She said: “That’s not a bad set of new year’s resolutions.

"Be joyful. That’s very different from being happy.

"We are, of course, not at all happy with the way things are at the moment, and we may need to express our grief, our frustration or even our anger about that, but we can be still joyful. Joy is very different to happiness.

"Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy is given to us by God.

“Be patient in affliction, we must be patient, and perhaps that also means being patient with each other, speaking kindly to each other, particularly maybe to those we most disagree with.

“And finally be faithful in prayer. Now that’s something we can all do whatever lockdown we find ourselves in. There are no restrictions on praying. And so I encourage you to join me in praying for our teachers, our school workers, parents home-schooling children.

"Pray for God’s protection over the physical and mental health of those most struggling at the moment, pray for our churches, whether worshipping in buildings or online, pray for our health professionals, pray for our communities and businesses, pray for our national leaders.

"Be faithful in prayer.”

To view Bishop Emma’s message visit the Diocese of Carlisle’s YouTube channel.