15th March 2026

This week has been a week of bombing, not only in the Middle East but also in Myanmar. The country’s military junta's aerial bombing killed at least 41 civilians including 18 children, in south-central Myanmar. The regime has killed at least 7,870 people in the past five years and arrested more than 30,600 others. om Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on rights in Myanmar, told Agence France-Presse  (AFP) this week that Myanmar's spiralling rights and humanitarian crises risk getting "much worse" as global attention focuses on the Middle East war and aid dwindles further.  He added that, even before the Middle East war started with Israeli-US air strikes on Iran on February 28, Myanmar had been affected by "a significant decrease in humanitarian aid." That aid is now likely to dwindle further as international focus and resources concentrate on the Middle East. A world where powers accept that "might makes right" is "extraordinarily dangerous", Andrews said, warning about the signals sent to Myanmar's "brutal" junta. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) has designated Thursday, 26 March, as a special day of intense prayers and fasting for Myanmar and is encouraging all the faithful to observe it. 

Loving God, bring to you our concerns for our neighbours in Myanmar.  Pour out your comfort and peace upon all who mourn the deaths of those they love. Place your healing hand upon all who were injured this week, may they make swift recoveries. Protect all who are caught up in civil war and violence. May no one feel abandoned by feel your presence always with them. Guide the international community to work with the military government in Myanmar to bring an end to the violence and establish a lasting peace. We pray also for the healing of the country's divisions, reconciliation and new beginnings. May Myanmar be a place where people can live in unity.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

When Freddie was just four years old and on holiday in Torquay, UK,  he developed a headache which was made worse by lights, and a very stiff neck which meant he was unable to move his head very much. His skin developed little pink spots on his chest which wouldn't go away when pressed, and he was lethargic and not very talkative. Freddie was swiftly taken to hospital with what turned out to be meningitis. Meningitis can becoming very serious if not treated quickly. Whilst he was in hospital, Freddie’s family met other children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, who had been helped by the Rainbow Trust. Freddie made a good recovery and is now seven years old.  He wanted to help other children who suffered from meningitis. So, he started a fundraiser for the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity,  who support families who have a child aged 0-18 with a terminal or life-threatening illness. Freddie and he mother climbed Pen-Y-Fan in Wales on Saturday, last weekend raising a total of £1,850. The funds raised was achieved through a combination of sponsorship, raffle sales and a sale of rolls at The Shield & Dagger pub in Swindon, who have been helping Freddie with his fundraiser, and hosted a party for him after completing his challenge.  “We are all so so proud of him. He has done absolutely phenomenally. His motivation was so high,” said Freddie's mother. The Rainbow Trust estimate that there are around 87,000 children in England with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. 

Find out more about the Rainbow Trust here.

Awesome God, creator of heaven and earth,

with all the angels we give you

honour, glory and praise.

We wonder at the magnificence of your creation.

We marvel at your love and care for every person.

We thank you for your bounteous goodness to us.

We thank you that you walk life's journey with us,

you carry our burdens

and are our constant companion.

We praise you for your Word made flesh

in Jesus Christ the Lord.

We thank you for his death on the cross

and that you raised him to new life.

We praise you that through faith in him

our sin is forgiven

and we share in your inheritance of eternal life.

All praise and glory, honour and power be yours

 awesome God,

creator  of heaven and earth.

Amen