An historic Scottish church has entered the modern era with its Post a Prayer online service to the public.

The Rosslyn Chapel, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is believed to be the first church in Scotland to launch such an internet service.

Prayers sent to the Scottish Episcopal Church's website are printed out daily and offered in the chapel by a member of the congregation.

The Rosslyn Chapel, which is situated in the village of Roslin, is reputed to be the home of the Holy Grail, the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

There have been some very heart-wrenching and personal requests

Andrew Heavens Church spokesman

It has promised to keep personal details confidential but said requests had included topics including exam results, relationships, crises of faith and job interviews.

Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) spokesman Andrew Heavens said: "There have been some very heart-wrenching and personal requests.

"With a physical prayer book, people still might worry someone could see them in the church and look at what they have written but this is totally anonymous.

"So people have really been pouring their hearts out and laying themselves bare. They have been amazingly frank."

'Long-distance worship'

The anonymous request goes to Rosslyn's prayer team as an e-mail and does not include the sender's identity or address.

At noon every weekday, the prayer requests are printed off and offered in the chapel by a member of the 120-strong congregation.

The Rev Michael Fass, the priest in charge of Rosslyn Chapel, said: "These e-prayers are allowing us to build a long-distance worshipping community.

"We live increasingly disconnected lives. If this is a way that we can connect people to a church, then that must be a good idea.

"Whether people are in the church or thousands of miles away down the other end of a phone line, our ministry offers up their prayers to God."