21st September 2026

Today is the International Day for Peace.  Yesterday, US President Trump announced, his proposed triumphal arch will double as a complex "top grade" military facility which will "house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage", he said.  Yesterday also saw, Ukraine's largest drone attack on the Moscow region, hitting the city's main oil refinery and a residential building. Ukrainian officials also announced that nine people, including three children, had been killed in Russian attacks in the Kyiv and Sumy regions on Saturday. This morning reports from the Sudan Doctors Network are indicating that Sudan's Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a series of drone strikes targeting residential areas in El-Obeid yesterday, killing at least two people and injuring 20 others.  Yemen’s Houthi group said 28 airstrikes hit Taiz, Marib and Al-Jawf provinces over 24 hours amid intensified ground fighting. The group claimed 760 strikes since the latest escalation, while government forces continued efforts to contain Houthi advances near strategic waterways. According to the last UNHCR global displacement update, published earlier this year, at least 117.8 million people worldwide are currently forcibly displaced due to war, conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights abuses, representing roughly 1 in every 70 people.

Loving God, on this International Day of Peace, we grieve the violence and division in our world.  We cry with those who live each day in fear, and with those who have been forced from their homes. Forgive us that we so readily turn to killing and destruction as a means of resolving difference and different claims on land and resources. Move among the leaders of nations that they will seek peace rather than conflict, unity rather than division. nd promote life rather than death. Loving God may the Holy Sirit move across the Earth and bring healing where there is war, reconciliation where there is hatred, and hope where despair has taken root. Break down barriers between nations and sow seeds of lasting peace.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Judah Peake and his family from Macclesfield were at a Christian festival in the summer when they discussed how they could help those globally who are in need. Following June’s earthquake in Venezuela, which killed more than 6,500 people, Judah decided to raise money for Tearfund, the international and development charity.  “I chose Tearfund because they are helping people in countries with disasters, conflict and extreme poverty,” said Judah.  Ten year old Judah decided to raise £1,000 for Tearfund by doing 1,000 press-ups in August. When his family were walking up the highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, Judah decided to add to his tally where the oxygen is a little thinner. “It is so great to see young people who are passionate about fundraising and also thinking about those people in the world who have less than themselves,” said Stewart Lee, Tearfund’s fundraising and communications director.  Judah smashed his target and raised a total of more than £2,500.

You can donate to Tearfund here.

Psalm 77: 1-4 & 10-15

I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands,

and I would not be comforted.

I remembered you, God, and I groaned;

I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:

the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’

Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.