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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.

This summer, many children will be enjoying time away from school. I love taking my two kids to our local park to hang out with other families and watch our children play together. Even in all the rain we’ve recently had, nothing has got in the way of us kicking a ball around with anyone brave enough to venture out!

But for some children who rely on free school meals during term time, the holidays are more likely to be characterised by hunger and malnourishment. In 2017 a cross-party panel of MPs and peers warned that up to 3 million children in the UK suffer from holiday hunger.

There are some incredible projects and charities bringing hope to children and their families through providing not just free, hot meals, but also support for families and a safe place for children to play. One mum put it so powerfully when asked why she brings her children to eat at one of these initiatives, ‘When you come here’ she said, ‘it really is a miracle.’

This morning we pray for all those in the world waking to a day of hunger and financial stress. We pray for all those who feel unsafe and uncertain about how they will take care of themselves or their children today. Father God help us to share our food with those who need it. To offer support to those in crisis. Thank you for the projects across our country providing free hot meals and a loving community for those in need. May we become a society which increasingly learns to see and help, not to ignore or judge. And may every child who is hungry today, be fed.

Amen.