'God hasn't forsaken me': Church of England to release short films addressing serious topics for Lent and Easter

'Without God, I'd still be drinking, taking drugs...'

The Church of England is set to launch its latest campaign called the "Psalm 22 project," which will feature stories of former homeless and ex drug addicts who tackled some of life's most difficult trials.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Psalm 22 refers to the words "my God, my God why have you forsaken me?"

The Church of England explained that the project would highlight the stories of different people in a series of short films for Lent and Easter.

The films serve as teasers for a featured film to be released on Easter Sunday.

The first teaser was launched on Wednesday.

In a podcast coinciding with Emma's teaser, Emma says: "Having faith is really hard. It's not easy to pray when you think no one is listening, it's not easy to wake up knowing you're going to go through the same stuff every single day.

"Without God, I'd still be drinking, taking drugs. I don't even know if I'd be here, because I was a self harmer [sic], I would have probably taken my own life at some point."

Other teasers to be released include Howard's story. The 40-year-old was baptized following eight months of sobriety and living a crime-free life, only to immediately return to drugs.

His trials include walking in faith and having doubts, but he said: "Where would I be without faith? I'd be dead a long time ago I believe. Yeah, I'd be dead. Not just spiritually but probably physically dead in a box somewhere. Faith's everything to me. It keeps me going, it gives me hope."

Forty-six-year-old Rob shared that his life of crime and drugs came to an end with help from God: "When my brother died I got naughty, I got into drugs, I got into fighting, violence, prison. And when I was in prison I wanted to like, just die. 

"I thought God was forsaking me then. Because I was asking for his help and it didn't happen. About 10 years later, I've turned into a Christian and I've changed my life around, and God hasn't forsaken me."

The final teaser will be a 2-minute short released on Easter Sunday in which the five main characters interpret a scene from "Passion of Christ."

Reverend Arun Arora, the Communications Director for the Church of England, explained: "Each of the inspirational stories of those who star in the film is a reminder of how faith and prayer can turn life around. They are also a reminder that for many of us faith and doubt co-exist as neighbours and not opposites.

"The Psalms accompany us through life with their raw honesty, joy and despair at life, love and God. Lent is a time of self-examination and struggle. It's part of the Christian journey that comes as a time of testing and honesty about who we are before God. And it ends with the triumph of Easter day, the sure and certain promise of God triumphant even after the darkest night."

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