9th July 2026

The US has attacked Iran for a second day running, causing Iran to retaliate with attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. The two days of renewed fighting cast doubt on whether Washington and Tehran remained committed to reaching a final deal to end the war, which was launched by the U.S. and Israel in February. 

Loving God, you hears our anguished cries of distress for our neighbours across the Middle East.  We long for them to be free from violence, conflict, death and destruction. Be close to who are anxious, all who mourn all who are frightened and bring them comfort and love. Place your protective hand over the children, and all who have no voice in this conflict. We place into your care every family separated by Iran’s current situation. Reunite them safely and be with all waiting in uncertainty. Guide people with the power to make decisions to bring an end to this conflict. Replace old patterns of mistrust with new opportunities for understanding, and lead them in the ways of wisdom, compassion and humanity that they may seek peace and reconciliation.  Jesus Christ our Lord.   In  the name of Jesus we pray,  Amen.  

In a new study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology conference in Florence this week, a team working between Uganda and Wales found that mosquitoes were less likely to land on people wearing lotions made from catnip. Dr Simon Scofield, a senior lecturer at Cardiff University, said: “We found that a 6% catnip oil was just as effective as Deet, and the 2% catnip oil was only marginally less effective than that. Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb from the mint family and grows cheaply and abundantly in Uganda. The research also established that the lotion could be made locally by a community enterprise. The chemical in the plant that causes feline euphoria – nepetalactone – also has insect-repelling properties but this has not previously been commercialised. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes and infects about 282 million people a year. 610,000 people died from malaria in 2024, the majority of them young children in Africa. 

God of beauty and wonder,

God of magnificence and grace,

we bow in worship before you.

We give you our love and adoration.

Praise be to you for all your loving kindness to us.

Praise be to you for your providing our daily bread.

We thank you for all your blessings.

We glorify you for the greatness of your love for us.

We glorify you for our redemption

 through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We glorify you for your sending the Holy Spirit

and his work in our lives.

We honour you for your gift of eternal life.

All praise, glory, thanksgiving and honour

be to you almighty and eternal God.

Amen.