New research has revealed how vital the Bible has been for Christians during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a poll carried out by Savanta ComRes and commissioned by new Bible study app WordGo, 63 per cent of church-going Christian adults in the UK and Ireland say the Bible has been crucial to helping them deal with life's challenges since the first Covid-19 lockdown.
The study also concluded that around three-quarters of churchgoers (74 per cent) believe the Bible is important to them to have a personal relationship with God.
Simon Lennox, Director of WordGo, said: "It is so encouraging to hear of people being comforted by God through the Bible in these challenging times. This shows us the genuine impact of Bible engagement on our lives. In times of great uncertainty, we need the timeless wisdom and genuine peace that only the words of God can bring."
As England started a second national Covid-19 lockdown on Thursday, Lennox said: "The most radical thing we can do for our mental and spiritual health during this season is to be in conversation with God, in prayer and in Scripture. Ultimately, if we are going to face the uncertainties of life - death, disease or famine - we need to start the day with our certainties in Christ."
The study that surveyed 1,905 people also revealed that just over 60 per cent of regular churchgoers felt the Bible encouraged and motivated them during the pandemic.
Lennox added: "With the pandemic removing most of the ways we experience church or community together, it is so easy to feel isolated, disconnected and far removed from God and one another.
"We launched the WordGo app at the start of lockdown to provide a new and accessible way for churches to help their communities stay connected through Bible Study. We hope that it will continue to help people look to the Bible for God's wisdom and comfort during these difficult days."
Last November a Bible Society survey found that only 18 per cent of people in England and Wales believed the Bible is relevant to them personally. But the Faith in England and Wales report also found 61 per cent thought it was good for children to know Bible stories, while over half of adults believed the Bible shapes our culture.
Listen to Premier's interview with Simon Lennox here:
