The specially-composed Prayer Before Making Love is aimed at 'purifying their intentions' so the act is not about selfishness or hedonism. It appears in the 64-page Prayer Book for Spouses which has been published by the London-based Catholic Truth Society. The prayer implores God 'to place within us love that truly gives, tenderness that truly unites, self-offering that tells the truth and does not deceive, forgiveness that truly receives, loving physical union that welcomes'.

It adds: "Open our hearts to you, to each other and to the goodness of your will." The group has close links to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. The Rt Rev Paul Hendricks, who is the Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark and sits on the charity's board, said he thought the prayer's inclusion was 'brave but good'.

"I suppose it is a bit idealistic but it is recognising that God is at the heart of the marriage relationship between husband and wife," he said. "It is important for the Church to affirm the value of marriage and family life and I suppose this is a particular way of doing that." The book contains prayers for every stage of marriage and family life, including engagement, planning for parenthood, pregnancy and caring for children and elderly parents.

Personally speaking I spent my teenage years praying FOR sex!

As foreplay goes it's not a patch on whipped cream...

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