8th October 2026

Overnight, Russia has continued its assult on Ukraine with 70 missiles at Ukraine — many of them high-velocity ballistic munitions — and ‌dozens of Shahed attack drones , killing at least 32 people, including children, and damaging industrial facilities and energy infrastructure.  The heaviest losses were in Pryluky in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region, where a Russian ‌missile destroyed a five-storey residential building.Twenty people died in the attack, including five children  100 people had been injured throughout the country. 

Loving God, we ask for your peace to embrace Ukraine and Russia.  We pry for your compassion and care for all who mourn today becuase those they love have been killed. Bring your comfort to parents grieving for their children.  We ask your healing for all who are injured.  Loving God, grant the leadership in Russia and Ukraine wisdom and discernment as they navigate the complexities of this conflict. Guide them by your Holy Spirit. Fill them with a desire to end the violence, death and destruction. Inspire them to seek peaceful solutions that prioritize the welfare of their people over power and pride, and greed. Help them to listen to the voices of those they serve, and to remember that true leadership is rooted in love and service.  May the international community never cease to act as mediators and to bring the two side together, and help negotiate a peace.  Lord, in the life of Russia and Ukraine may your ill be done as it is in heaven.  Amen.

A group of 20 young graduates were kidnapped on 1 October while they were travelling for a national community service programme in the Abia and Akwa Ibom states in the south of Nigeria. On Monday, the police said they had identified the location where the group was being held but could not rescue them because it was mined with explosives. However, a police spokesman said in a statement yesterday that the group had been rescued at Amakohia Ubi in Imo State after a sustained search-and-rescue operation. The group are being cared for and have been taken for medical evaluation. 

Six Christian workers abducted in South Sudan on Sept. 26 were released on Thursday (Oct. 1), sources said. The Young Life South Sudan workers were traveling from Kajo Keji to Maridi, a town in Western Equatoria state, on Juba-Yambio Road when unidentified gunmen ambushed their vehicle. Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Diocese Eduardo Hiinoro Kussala condemned the kidnapping and other attacks on civilians and called the armed groups to stop targeting civilians. “Those people whom you are ambushing are your brothers are your citizens,” he told a Juba radio station, Eye Radio. “They are your brothers and sisters.”

Abba, God our Father,

we praise you,

we adore you.

All glory, honour and power be to you.

Jesus Christ, God the Son,

we praise you,

we adore you.

All glory, honour and power be to you.

Holy Spirit of God,

we praise you,

we adore you.

All glory, honour and power be to you.

Almighty and eternal God

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

God in three persons

blessed Trinity,

we praise you,

we adore you.

All glory, honour and power be to you.

Amen.