Award-winning actress Wendy Craig is to be featured in a new DVD offered free to churches across the UK this February.

Wendy is one of this country's best-loved actresses and with such a long and distinguished career in television, theatre and film it's easy to see why.

Remembering such television classics as And Mother Makes Three and Not in Front Of the Children, as well as the much acclaimed Butterflies; Wendy Craig is still everybody's favourite Mum. These hilarious series are re-running on television for a new generation to enjoy whilst Wendy treats us to her current role as the matriarchal matron in The Royal, now in its sixth series for ITV. Wendy's stage appearances stretch from the Royal Shakespeare Company to London's West End and back again.

The three-minute DVD, recorded backstage at her current long-running pantomime by Genesis TV, is for churches to show as part of their service or home groups to encourage their prayers for a profession that may seem full of glitz and glamour, but can actually be one of the loneliest, most insecure and isolated places to work in, claims showbiz charity Christians in Entertainment. They are asking churches and individuals across the UK to spare a thought and a prayer for those working in front of the footlights, microphone and camera.

Wendy's awards include being voted Bafta's TV Actress of the Year, BBC Personality of the Year, BBC TV's Woman of the Year and The Funniest Woman on Television three times running.

Her latest book Show Me the Way is published by Hodder & Stoughton and based on one of the songs that Wendy found emerging from within her during a time of spiritual reflection. It was a particularly difficult period of her life and the lyrics of the song that came to her are a clear and concise request for guidance, re-assurance, healing and love; essentials that Wendy says she needs on a daily basis in an unsteady and often confusing world.

"This is the fourth year we have encouraged a day to pray for this most unusual of professions," explained founder and Director of Christians in Entertainment, Chris Gidney. "Entertainment is a service industry but because of its very nature it's easy to forget that those who work in it are often under a huge amount of pressure whether it be unemployment, separation from their families, or the stress of keeping a career alive in a fast moving industry.

"For the last 27 years we have supported those in the profession from all levels of belief who are working away from family, friends and perhaps church. Through our backstage discovery groups, dressing room Bible placements, one-to-one visits and our prayer textline, we offer opportunities for performers at every level of the profession to explore what the Christian faith might mean to them."

For those churches that don't have projection equipment, the Entertainment Sunday prayer can be used instead. To order your free DVD please email info@eauk.org

PRAYER FOR ENTERTAINMENT SUNDAY

Dear God, we praise you and thank you that you are the giver of all that is good and worthwhile and that you have created gifts of entertainment to be used in your world. We ask that you will inspire and encourage all who work in theatres, television and radio.

We pray for all those working in the entertainment business, including actors as they bring drama to life, comedians as they remind us how to laugh, dancers as they provide elegance and beauty and singers as they offer the wonder of music. We pray that all entertainment will be used as a tool for understanding, healing, relaxation, enriching and to express your love for humanity. Amen.