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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rachel Gardner, director of a charity which specialises in innovative youth work.

Good morning.

Sometimes we don’t need to hear someone’s full name to recognise them. Everyone knows that ‘Meghan’ refers to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex. Three teenagers with powerful convictions have become known by their first names alone. Greta, the Swedish climate activist, Malala, Pakistani education advocate and Leah, the Nigerian school girl and member of the Girl’s Brigade who is still being held by Boko Haram because of her gender and her faith. Knowing that refusing to deny her faith would mean remaining a hostage, Leah sent this message to her family, ‘I will see you again. If not in this life, then resting on the bosom of Christ.’

These young women are showing the rest of us how to live to the truth of our convictions. Their courage is inspirational. Coming from a generation that is often written off as entitled and self-absorbed, they're compelling us to ask big questions about what we would be willing to sacrifice for the sake of the people and planet we love.

The Psalmist inspires us to ’Be strong and let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.’ Why? Because as the prophet Isaiah knows, ‘those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’

Living courageously might look like starting a campaign or speaking out against an injustice. Or it might mean something more private, such as offering the hand of friendship or forgiveness.

Thank you Jesus that – that you died for all humanity on the cross. May you give strength to all those who hope in you, and for all those who work for a fairer, safer world for us all.

Amen.