Blind - Pastor's Pen for 15th March 2026

At times when the world seems to be uncertain, when political unrest and armed conflicts are manifesting around the globe, I find myself withdrawing inward. My son recently expressed words to the effect of; "Great, I'm just becoming an adult and the world is going to ****." It reminded me that it would be better to live and demonstrate faith and hope outwardly to him than a blind withdrawal inward. It reminded me to hold in prayer the young and others feeling a profound anxiety at this time.

This week, my series on John and the church calendar coincide in John chapter 9, where we find the story of a man born blind. Of course, the writer wants us to understand not only a story of physical healing, but also to think about spiritual blindness. What are we not seeing?

Sometimes we need to see through the eyes of another to gain more insight and compassion. Late last year the BBC reported the story of 'Majid', a Christian Iranian who fled Iran to the USA because of persecution for his faith, only then to face deportation back to Iran via Nicaragua and Turkey. He managed to hide out in Istanbul. Who knows what is happening to him now?

It is well documented that in times of military conflict with Western powers, things go from bad to worse for Christians in Iran, particularly converts from Islam. Do we see and remember this?

Let us pray with eyes open in this Lenten journey to Easter. Pray for the Spirit to enable us to see with compassion those who are struggling. Pray for the ability to see through the eyes of another, where there is pain and fear of death. As we walk the difficult path to the cross with Jesus, let us also hold in prayer the persecuted, the poor and displaced. Shalom