HUNDREDS of people attended a special services at Canterbury and Rochester cathedrals today to pray for those left suffering by the tsunami disaster.

They also joined thousands of other people across the county who observed a national three minutes silence at noon.

The 20-minute service at Canterbury was led by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Ven Patrick Evans who said it was an occasion to commemorate the dead and ask for God's blessing for the relief work.

He called on the congregation to pray for those whose lives had been shattered by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Tonbridge is encouraging people to continue to pray for people affected by the Asian Tsunami disaster.

The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle has issued a statement to all clergy in the diocese in which he tackles the issue of whether the tidal wave can be seen as an act of God.

He said: "The insurance companies call such earthquakes acts of God, but I do not believe that the God of Love deliberately inflicts suffering on people.

"We live in a dynamic relationship with the natural environment and while we can protect ourselves against some of the ragings of nature, we will always be taken unawares by others."

He continued: "One must not underestimate or make light of the pain, sheer darkness and injustice of this disaster, but God's presence in the middle of this terrible mess points to embers of hope waiting to be kindled into life in ways as yet unknown."

Dr Castle said God had manifested himself in the heroism displayed by people involved in the disaster, and praised the public's generosity donating to the relief fund. He said: "Celebration and disaster can elicit from deep within humanity responses of great generosity that has been moving to watch."