8th August 2026

Abu Bakr Yousif Yaqoub, the Nada Al-Azhar Foundation for Disaster Prevention and Sustainable Development (Nada) director of protection programmes in Sudan has said that many children are being born in complex circumstances, often without the knowledge of the father.  This means that their births cannot be registered. "Registering a child requires identity information, a national number and a birth certificate. But when the father is absent or unknown, it becomes extremely difficult," he said.  Many are conceived as a result of rape. These children will not receive respect from society and will be denied access to services and rights. A whole generation that will live under stigma, danger and fear. The United Nations has also raised the alarm that more than 8 million school-age children in Sudan remain out of the classroom because of the ongoing civil war that erupted more than three years ago. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed  said yesterday that “Five children in every six are out of school, and parents will tell you they would rather keep their children at home than send them to a classroom, because home for them is the only place left where they can keep them safe.”  Since 2024, there have been over 67 attacks on schools and over 155 occasions when schools have been used for military purposes. 33 million people in Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF, half of them children. 

Loving God, we remember how Jesus called the little children to him.  We bring to you the needs of children in Sudan, born in war, often born as a consequence of violence and abuse, with no rights, and no official identity. We bring to you the millions of children denied an education because it is not safe for them to go to school. Loving God, forgive thst we have created a situation where we have caused such harm for those so young.  May this war end so that children may have life in all its fullness. Move among the Sudanese authorities that they will change their legal arrangments to give children legal recognition as people of Sudan. We pray to for their mothers. Wrap them in your care. Help them in raisign their children to be kind, compassionate, empathitic and generous.  May war not turn them to more violence but move them to work for peace so that their children, and their children's children may not suffer.   In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

On 23rd July a man was standing on Victory Memorial Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee.  He was about to take his life by jumping from the bridge. Lieutenant Mike Hotz of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department was called to the scene. Mike introduced himself with a calm voice and an open heart, saying "Hey man, my name's Mike. Can I just holler at you? I just want to help you talk through this, this worst day of your life. And I know it is," Mike gently told him. As the conversation continued, the emotional distance between the two men slowly disappeared.

Mike said, "I'm not gonna try nothing crazy. I promise you to the Lord himself. Can I shake your hand?" The man accepted the handshake, stepped away from the edge of the bridge, and walked toward the officers waiting to help him. "I love you. It's gonna be alright," Hotz told him. The handshake became a hug. "We're here to love you, bro. We're here to love you." After the man was safely in the care of first responders and counsellors, Mike quietly stepped away from the scene.

Loving God, the source of life and love,

you are almighty God, all loving,

 all merciful and all powerful.

All good and perfect gifts come from you.

I give you thanks and praise for making me, me.

I give you thanks and praise

that you know my faults and weaknesses

and that you show me mercy and forgive.

I thank you for good, bad, and challenging times

 knowing that you continually work out your purpose

for good.

Thank you for all that is fulfilling,

all that gives me purpose

and all that give me contentment.

I thank you for your guiding hand,

for carrying my burdens,

and that you are my constant companion.

I thank you that you reach out to catch me

when I stumble and fall

and that you raise me up to the highest heights.

Blessing and honour and glory be yours forever

Amen.