Churches will be praying on Sunday 1 June for Christians who work in and with the media.  

The day of prayer is being organised by the Church and Media Network, and has the support of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and Methodist leaders the Reverend Ruth Gee and Dr Daleep Mukarji, who have all submitted prayers. 

A special website - www.pray4media.co.uk - has been launched as a collection point for people to submit their own prayers too.

People can also tweet their prayers to @pray4media.  

The Reverend Tony Miles, the network's chair, said: "The British media is under scrutiny as never before. Illegal and unethical practices by some journalists have combined with tough economic times and pressures from new technology to make these challenging times for everyone working in the media.

"Yet as Christians we want to affirm the media's vital role in our society. At its best the media gives a voice to the voiceless, holds the powerful to account, highlights unjust practices, calls for justice, keeps people informed, brings us strong opinions to challenge our own – and tells stories to entertain us."

Specifically, churches are being asked to include the media in their prayer diary listings, and encourage people who work in or with the media to talk about the pressures they face.

Churches are also being encouraged to get to know the staff at their local newspaper or radio suggestion and ask them for their suggestions on how they could be prayed for.  

Mr Miles continued: "We firmly believe that working in the media is an honourable profession. We want to encourage Christians and other people of faith and goodwill to consider it as a calling.

"We want to support all those working in and with the media in our churches, including church leaders and communications officers who help to portray and interpret the Church's role in our society."

The Archbishop of York's prayer reads:

Lord Jesus Christ, you speak and bring all that is seen and unseen into being:

we give you thanks for the gift of the media to reach the far flung places of the earth with messages of hope and life.

We give you thanks for those who risk their security and even their lives to expose injustice and to bring news of hope.

May they strive to be the bearers of good news that all people may come to know the abundant life for which we have been created; and yet more wonderfully redeemed in Jesus Christ.

We offer our prayer in your name, in the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of the Father. Amen.