Here is part of today’s Old Testament reading, from Isaiah: ‘Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favour I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, ‘Come forth,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways, on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them’”.

This passage follows on from the Third Servant Song of Isaiah, and gives us a picture of what will be following the great work of the Servant, ‘He who has pity’.

As we pray these words from Scripture, we may like to hold in our hearts the people of Ukraine, that the mercy and compassion of God will speedily help and deliver them. May God bless you.