I read your news item about the 24-hour prayer marathon and think that the time spent would be better used visiting the elderly.

Do you not think an hour spent with an old person is more of a commitment to the God that you were praying to?

My father spent a lot of time on his own after my mother died. He would have loved someone to have given him an hour of their time for a chat. I visited three old people a week when my children were at school and loved it. I remember one gentleman did not want a cup of tea, so we had a glass of Guinness together. I spent my time giving, instead of wasting time talking to the empty air.

My grandfather was a lay preacher, so I had to say my prayers every night. I prayed my blind aunt would see as I was told that if you prayed hard enough to God he would answer your prayers. She lived to be 100 but never saw from the age of 27. Needless to say, at the age of 14 I began to question this, without anyone being able to answer me.

It’s all to do with indoctrination at an early age. Some of us shake it off. My eldest son was taught to pray on the first day at school before he was taught to read, and this was in the first four hours.

We will all know our fate one day, and if I am wrong I will apologise, but if it is to be oblivion then I shall not need to.

Janet Woodham Scotby Avenue Swindon