Matilda leads both Morning and Evening Prayer this week, in the season of Lent (marking the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert). Morning Prayer – Matilda reads a passage from Hebrews, Chapter 4, verse 14 – Chapter 5, verse 10. This scripture gives heart to all who fall short – encouraging us to pick ourselves up and start again with boldness and the reassurance that Jesus understands our weaknesses and failings, yet expects us to try again with greater integrity; “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia and for world peace. We pray for wise decision-making and for the moral integrity of all world leaders in the face of evil – most especially this morning.