Prayers were even said for nominated cinema seats on Sunday

Churchgoers had set up a weekend rota for prayers during the showings of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.

Parishioners from St Luke's Church in Maidstone wanted to protect the equipment from evil forces.

But a bulb blew in the Odeon cinema projector - 15 minutes after the prayers stopped.

I'm not saying the Devil turned up at the Odeon, but we believe the powers of darkness are able to influence even machinery Russ Hughes, St Luke's

Russ Hughes, director of worship and prophecy at St Luke's church, said the prayers were run on a rota basis around the clock, with four people praying at any one time.

Mr Hughes said the churchgoers aimed for "24/7 prayer", but were unable to fill the slot between 1700 GMT and 1900 GMT on Saturday.

And, it was as the trailers started at 1715 GMT on Saturday that the projector's bulb blew.

He said: "We believe in the spiritual realm as much as the physical realm - that is the business we are in. We cover any project in prayer.

"I'm not saying the Devil turned up at the Odeon, but we believe the powers of darkness are able to influence even machinery."

Cinema manager Christian Webber said bulbs had failed only three times in her eight years as manager - during which time around 72,000 screenings had taken place.

She said: "I have had about three films break down in the eight years that I have worked in the company - that shows what a rare occurrence it is."

St Luke's and several other churches spent a total of �20,000 on tickets for the screenings.

The 300-strong audience was given vouchers allowing them to see the film another time - a later screening was moved to a different theatre.