Prayer Archive

9th May 2026

The Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC), has spent more than two years gathering testimony from women in custody across the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. They found that the 75 documented cases of rape and sexual violence against Palestinian women in Israeli custody amount to around just one per cent of what is actually occurring in Israeli prisons. The report is consistent with a wave of parallel reports from the United Nations, Israeli human rights groups and an international consortium funded by 13 European governments.  These all indicate sexualised violence against Palestinian women has become a systematic instrument of war. Kifaya Khraim, WCLAC's advocacy unit manager has found that women are arrested without charges and held under administrative detention.  The women say they are searched, forced to strip, repeatedly beaten on their genitals, photographed naked, and then threatened with or sometimes subjected to rape. The violations occur at detainment centers or checkpoints as a condition of the women’s ability to move from one place to another, or, increasingly, when soldiers invade their homes in the middle of the night. Some of the women Khraim has spoken to said they were afraid of falling asleep in Israeli jails because they believed they’d be raped or assaulted.  Abuse of girls going to school through Israeli checkpoints are also subject to sexual abuse.

Loving God, we cry with our neighbours in Palestine who are abused whilst in Israeli custody and for women and children abused on the streets of the Palestinian territories.  May sexual abuse never be considered a legitimate or ignored weapon of war or oppression. May soldiers, police and security officers uphold their own human dignity and that of others, even those they regard as enemies.  Help us recall the words of Jesus, to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. May those who command security forces do so with integrity and seek to root out inhumane practices.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The Samaritans, is a UK charity providing a lifeline for people with mental health issues, particularly those considering taking their lives.  Megan Boxall struggled with her mental health and has also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. One day out running last year, she noticed it helped clear her head and give her purpose - that's when she decided she wanted to be the fastest woman to run the UK coastal circuit. The Samaritans were a considerable support to her through a difficult time, so she decided to use her running challenge to raise £50,000 for the organisation. She has run 5,240 miles - the equivalent of a marathon every day for nearly seven months. Megan has been supported by the kindness of strangers, friends, friends of friends, and a growing community offering warm meals, places to stay, and encouragement along the way. Megan has not only become the fastest woman to complete the coastal path challenge, she has also raised comfortably more money than her target. 

You can support Megan and the Samaritans by clicking here.

Gracious God,

faithful and true,

you are the source of all life

and creator of everything that is,

from tiny ants to the planets,

from seaweed to giant pine trees,

all with beauty and intricate detail.

You create the tides, and winds, the ocean currents,

and the local ecosystems

that all interconnect in marvellous ways

reflecting your majesty, power and greatness.

You know our thoughts and worries and fears,

our joys and all that makes us who we are.

When days are turbulent and uncertain,

when there is disquiet in our hearts and minds,

and we are not at peace,

you are alongside us, to guide us, to carry our burdens,

and grant us peace.

We give you thanks and praise loving Father,

for you are faithful and dependable

and you love each one of us.

Amen.

8th May 2026

Somalia is a forgotten corner of the world, and rarely makes international news., where The past three rainy seasons have failed in north eastern Somalia. Now there are just dry water ponds, destroyed crops, and animal carcasses. Malnutrition rate soar as international humanitarian organisations struggle to stop another hunger catastrophe. World Food Programme Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations, Matthew Hollingworth, said: "We simply don’t have the resources to respond as we should do. This is made absolutely worse because of the Middle East crisis which is raising prices across the whole country; fuel by 150%, even food commodities by at least 20 or 30%." The international committee of the Red Cross report, that during January to March this year more than 700 children under the age of five were hospitalized at the Kismayo General Hospital. Ten of them died. Nearly 1.8 million more are expected to experience malnutrition this year.  For the past two decades has been battling Islamist militants, in particular those from al-Shabab, a group aligned with al-Qaeda. One Somalian now living in the USA and being sought by ICE, has told reporters, "I would rather live in hiding here for the rest of my life than go back to Somalia, because my life would be at risk." Sadia Moalim Ali is a 27 year old woman being held in prison in Somalia for taking part in peaceful protests has described how she was she was stripped naked by two male guards in a room monitored by CCTV, kicked, beaten with a baton and left for two days in a small cell without food. 

Loving God, we bring to you the needs of our neighbours in Somalia. We ask your loving care for all who are impacted by draught, for those whose incomes have collapsed due to failing crops and dying livestock. We pray that every person seeking medical assistance will be able to access the care they need.  We ask your direction for humanitarian agencies and for those who fund them, that resources will be available to prevent a complete humanitarian disaster. We pray for all who fear and have been abused by the Somali regime, for people oppressed at home and those fearful of returning to the country. Move among Somalia's government that it will have the needs of ordinary people as its major priority and seek international support to bring relief. We pray also that the world's media will place the spotlight on the desperate situation in which many are living so the world will be moved to bring about change and transformation. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Georgie Peterson, from the UK, died last year, aged 33, after a rare brain condition caused a fatal seizure. Georgie donated her hand and last autumn it was grafted on to quadruple amputee Kim Smith, a former hairdresser, now a campaigner for sepsis awareness.  After being on the waiting list for almost four years, she said being given a new hand was "the most precious gift".  "It really has changed my life so much. I've been able to hold my youngest granddaughter's hand... it's life-changing, completely."  However, the good news doesn't stop there. Georgie's mother Jackie, met Kim. Jackie said that holding her daughter's hand once more has "given me huge comfort... there's a little piece of her still there". 

Loving, Father God,

we give you thanks and praise

for the multitude of ways in which you are present with us.

You are always with us

in times of joy, achievement, love and hope,

as well as in times of

fear, sadness, hurt, despair, and brokenness.

We thank you for your love and faithfulness,

for the gift of this new day,

for the people around us,

and for the ways you work in our lives,

even when we don't see it.

We give thanks for all you give us;

for your peace, grace, hope and love.

We thank you for Jesus Christ,

that he came to live among us,

died upon a cross to set us free from sin,

and rose victorious from the grave

to sit at your right hand in glory.

We praise you for the Holy Spirit

who lives within your faithful people.

 Help us to remember that every good gift comes from you.

In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen. 

7th May 2026

Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of peace and hope to 13 priests from southern Lebanon, by unexpectedly joining their video call from Rome yesterday. Pope Leo told the priests that he held them in his prayers  and expressed his desire for peace in southern Lebanon. Father Najib al-Amil, the parish priest of Rmeich, who attended the online meeting told reporters at Associated Press that the pope gave the priests God's blessing and that, "His words were reassuring, particularly as we live in constant worry over here."  Yesterday, Israel attacked Beirut for the first time since it agreed to a ceasefire in the war with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, hitting the city's southern Dahieh area. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had personally approved the strike targeting a commander of Hezbollah elite Radwan Force. Israeli  the attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 120 people across the country in the past week. 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since 2 March. Widespread destruction continues across large parts of the country, affecting homes belonging to hundreds of thousands of people as well as basic infrastructure. According to the National Council of Scientific Research in Lebanon (CNRS), 428 housing units were destroyed and a further 50 damaged in just the first three days of the ceasefire. Many of the displaced civilians are prevented from returning to what remains of their homes by the IDF in areas it controls in the south. 

Loving God, we thank you for the care of your church shown by Pope Leo.  We observe the contrast between his desire of pece and the actions of military forces.  We ask your loving care for all people in Lebanon. Be alongside all who grieve the deaths of those they love. Console all who mourn the destruction of homes and communities, places of memory and friendship. Place your healing hand upon all who are injured - may the fully recover and be well supported by their communities. Pour out your forgiveness that people willingly rain down such terror and fear upon one another.  Together with the Pope we pray for peace in this troubled region.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The hospital ship Africa Mercy® arrived in Toamasina, Madagascar yesterday.  This is the sixth time that Mercy Ships has visited the island since 1996. “Returning to Madagascar for the third consecutive year is a powerful reflection of trust, partnership, and shared ambition,” said Nicholas Ahadjie, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Madagascar. “In a time of recovery following the cyclone [Gezani], we are grateful to stand alongside the government and people of Madagascar, supporting both surgical needs and long-term resilience in healthcare.”  Mercy Ships estimates to provide more than 1,400 surgeries, along with more than 1,400 dental encounters. Alongside these free life-changing interventions, the organization will invest in strengthening the country’s health systems by providing more than 22,500 hours of training and education for healthcare professionals across Madagascar. “Strengthening our surgical system remains a top priority for the Ministry of Public Health, and partnerships like the one with Mercy Ships are key to making this vision a reality,” said Dr. Managna Monira. “Together, we are working to ensure that high-quality surgical care is more accessible to the Malagasy people, while building a stronger, more resilient and sustainable health system.” 

Find out more about Mercy Ships here.

Loving God, you come amongst us and are always with us.

We give your praise and thanksgiving

for your creation of the world,

in all its intricacy, beauty, diversity, and magnificence.

We rejoice in your presence in our relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues;

 in the laughter and tears we share,

in the support we give to one another.

We bow to you in reverence for your presence

when justice prevails and mercy is shown.

We praise you for your power and your protection

for you are our rock and our fortress.

Thank you for your promise is that you will never leave us.

You are a mighty, loving, forgiving and gracious God.

We love and adore you.  Amen.

6th May 2026

An explosion at a fireworks plant in the city of Changsha, in Hunan, China has killed at least 26 people and injured 61. Firework manufacturing at the site has been stopped.

In Sutatausa, Colombia, nine people have died in an explosion at a coal mine in the latest fatal accident to hit the country's mining sector. Six miners have been rescued following the blast. Colombia's national mining agency said a build-up of gases was thought to have caused the explosion.

Loving God, we place into your care all who mourn the deaths of those who have lost their lives at work.  We ask your comfort for the families, neighbours friends and colleagues of these Chinese firework factory workers and the miners in Colombia. Bring your healing to all who have been injured.  May they not suffer financially as a consequence of their injuries. Draw near to those who now fear going to work. We pray too that you will be alongside and direct all who have responsibilities for investigating fatalities and injuries at work.  May they conduct themselves with professionalism and be able to make recommendations to make workplaces safer for all.  May those with power to make a difference use that power to make workplaces safer for all.  We pray that all employers and employees will fulfil their duty of care to one another.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The Moringa tree has a reputation for healing and providing good eating. It is sometimes called “the Miracle Tree”.  Gabrielle S. Batista from São Paulo State University and others have discovered it has the ability to to filter microplastics from water as effective as heavy metal alternatives. Microplastics are posing an enormous challenge worldwide. They can be invisible or as large as  one-25,000th the width of a human hair.  They have been found all over swirling around in the earth's jet stream, at the deepest ocean reaches, and in every human organ that has been examined, from the brain to the placenta. The researchers found that the moringa seeds filtered 98.5% of microplastic particles of PVC, one of the most pernicious of all microplastics. Moringa is cultivated for food, medicine, and honey production all over the tropics, and rural communities already harvesting the seed pods could simply leverage their crop and use it for filtration. 

You can read the scientific report here.

Loving God, creator of heaven and earth,

we thank you for this wonderful world

where we build our homes and communities.

We praise you for the seeds you plant,

that root us in your grace,

and encourage us to create relationships

that encourage growth and mutual support.

We thank you that we can bring to you all the hurts, fears,

and concerns that trouble us,

and leave them with you

knowing that your strength and assurance are all we need.

We thank you that in your presence

we are freed from worries and anxieties

and find a place where we can be at peace,

find healing, wholeness, and renewal.

All praise and glory, honour and blessing

be to you eternal and loving God.

In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen. 

5th May 2026

Yesterday Army Radio reported that Israel has expanded its control of the Gaza Strip to nearly 60 percent of the territory despite the ceasefire, as it prepares for a possible resumption of the war in Gaza.  The IDF has withdrawn some forces in southern Lebanon while redeploying to Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Israel's so-called “Yellow Line” has forced the Gaza population into roughly 40 percent of the enclave while IDF troops remain stationed across the remaining 60 percent in the south, north and east. Knesset member Limor Son Har-Melech wrote on social media, "There is no alternative to conquest, expulsion, and settlement,” adding: “Any other solution is unfeasible and will bring upon us the next massacre.”  Gaza continues to lack food and medicine, and despite the ceasefire, Israeli continues its attacks. Hospitals, schools and residential buildings, continue to be destroyed. Homelessness and overcrowding results. Last week there were reports of rats biting sleeping children. Rising temperatures and open-air sewage are making conditions unbearable.  Peace talks have not progressed, and President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has been notably silent.

Loving God, our hearts are broken, our hope is fragile, our tears are real as we ache for justice and peace for the people of Gaza.  Forgive the inhumanity of the Netanyahu regime. Forgive the blind eye turned by much of the world to the atrocities perpetrated in Gaza. Wrap into your loving care every single person trapped in Gaza unable to leave to escape death, hunger, trauma and pain. We pray for an end to the violence and inhumanity. We pray for love, compassion and unity.  We pray they your will shall be done as it is in heaven.   In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

At Newcastle Airport in north east England more than 16,000 trees have been creating a new woodland the size of 14 football pitches. A variety of broadleaved trees have been planted at the site to encourage local wildlife, improve air quality and strengthen the region’s natural environment. Over its lifetime, the woodland is expected to remove more than 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – enough to power more than 500 homes for a year. These trees are in addition to more than 45,000 trees which have been planted by the Airport in recent years, further supporting the business’ carbon offset activities and its wider commitment to enhancing biodiversity.  Alice Andreasen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Newcastle Airport, said “Tree planting is a key part of our strategy to reach Net Zero by 2035 and initiatives like this complement the great work taking place across the business which is delivering meaningful change, while supporting the region’s wider sustainability ambitions.”  

Loving God of life,

you brought all things into being,

all that we can see and all that is invisible to us. 

You determined the boundaries of the universe,

and breathed life into your creation. 

You created humankind and placed us on the earth.

We give you thanks and praise that we live on a beautiful,

 wonderful and magnificent planet

rich in resources to sustain us

and for our enjoyment.

We praise you that you bind us together in community

and kindle the flame within us

that stirs our passion for faith, justice, and reconciliation.

Praise be to you, O Lord,

for your are generous,

merciful and full of compassion

seeking us out when we are lost

and forgiving our waywardness.

We praise you for your Church

which nurtures our faith.

We lift our voices to you

in songs of everlasting praise;

blessing and honour and glory and power be yours,

almighty, eternal and loving God.

Amen.  

4th May 2026

Yesterday was the the 10th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2286. President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Director-General of the World Health Organization and the International President of Médecins Sans Frontières have made a joint statement, although you will need to search the media to find it. The Resolution calls for the protection of medical personnel, facilities, and transport in armed conflicts and condemns attacks against healthcare as violations of international law. The joint statement is clear, "the situation is even worse compared to 10 years ago. Today, we mark not an achievement – we mark a failure." The statement continues, "Every day on the front lines of the world’s most devastating crises, our teams witness the catastrophic consequences when the sanctity of health care is compromised. Hospitals are reduced to rubble, ambulances face delays and obstruction, and doctors, nurses and patients are too often caught in attacks that result in death and injury. Patients die from otherwise treatable wounds, women are sometimes forced to give birth without adequate care, and entire communities lose access to life-saving services. When health care is no longer safe, it is often the clearest warning sign that the rules and norms intended to limit the harm of war are breaking down. When hospitals and those who provide care come under attack, we face not only a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of humanity."  The joint statement calls for all parties to armed conflict to comply with Resolution 2286 emphasising that  states not only to abide by these rules themselves, but also to use all possible influence to ensure that other states and parties to conflict do the same. 

You can read the full statement here.

Loving God, we give you thanks and praise for the work of the WHO, MSF and the ICRC.  We thank you for the doctors, nurses, paramedics, and all who serve in hospitals and clinics amidst the chaos of conflict. Protect them as they risk their lives to save the lives of others. May they and the buildings they work in not be targets for missiles and drones but remain sanctuaries of care, healing and compassion, untouched by violence. We also ask your protection for the patients who seek medical care and safety.  Pour out your love and healing upon them. May all who lead troops and all commanders of war adhere to UN Resolution 2286. Even in the heat of war may humanity keep alive respect and dignity.  We pray for that time when war will be no more and swords are turned into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Rooftop solar panels have been instrumental in helping the Republic of Ireland reach as decarbonisation milestone. For the first time ever the lowest daytime electricity demand level fell below the night-time demand. A combination of spring sunshine and a growth in utility-scale solar power connected to the grid helped contribute to new records being set. A new high for wind generation of 3,898MW was also reached this year.  Diarmaid Gillespie, director of system operations with electricity transmission system operator EirGrid recognises the intermittency of wind and solar. “We are looking at battery energy storage which can provide an immediate injection of power to the system. There is between 700 and 800MW now connected to the system and more on the way. We are also seeing a lot of people installing battery storage along with solar. That is very encouraging.”  Ireland's electricity grid can now accommodate up to 75 per cent of electricity from renewable sources at any one time. 

My soul waits calmly for you O God.

My salvation comes from you,

for you are my rock and my refuge—my strong tower.

I trust you at all times.

I pour out my heart in your presence.

Let me live with you forever

and find protection under your wings.

 You have blessed me,

just as you bless everyone who worships you.

I will sing your praises forever, O God.

Prayer inspired by Psalms 61 & 62 

3rd May 2026

Patrick Watt, the CEO of Christian Aid, told UK newspaper, The Independent that the impacts of the climate crisis are already “completely changing” the nature of poverty in developing countries. Rising global temperatures and extreme weather are now hugely impacts the challenges the poorest people face around the world. Christian Aid has an 80 year history of a working with small-scale rural farmers, helping them to organise and gain access to new market opportunities. “But in the past 10 years, we have, out of necessity, changed our approach here to encompass climate adaptation," said Watt. He added, we now do "everything from encouraging people to grow climate-resilient crops, to building warehouses that can withstand floods, or introducing more sustainable water management practices.”  Data from  the World Bank and UN Development Programme, support Christian Aid's assessment that climate change has become a primary driver of poverty around the world, with nearly 80 per cent of the world’s poor – some 887 million people living in regions exposed to extreme heat, flooding and other climate hazards. Fossil fuel emissions continue to be the single biggest contributor to climate change. Watt linked the climate crisis to a debt crisis, saying that  high-income countries have slashed grant-based foreign aid resulting in a situation where “a lot of poor countries are borrowing more to pay for climate adaptation”, said Mr Watt. Such a situation is completely unsustainable given the already-unmanageable levels of debt in many of these countries. 

Loving God, you created a magnificent world full of life and diversity, with interconnected ocean currents, wind systems, tides and seasons; a world full of bounty, full of possibility and potential. You declared it to be good. For this we give you thanks, praise, honour and glory. But we ask your forgiveness for we have been poor stewards and have neglected to care for the work of your hand. In this time of climate breakdown wake us from our slumber, equip us afresh to be the justice-shaped people of God. Fill our hearts with love for all adversely impacted by extreme weather events whose homes and livelihood are lost.  Help us to have compassion for climate refugees, people caught up in climate-related conflicts.  Move among the leaders of nations that they will urgently move to curtail the expansion of fossil fuel use and champion renewable forms of energy. Loving God, may care of your creation and care of people all made in your image be the primary driver of economic policy.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Temperate rainforests once accounted for 20 percent of Britain’s land area, dominating its western regions.  Today just one percent of temperate rainforests remain. However, in 2023, The Devon Wildlife Trust in south west England took ownership of 75 acres of sheep-grazed land with support from insurance company Aviva.  The aim was to create a temperate rainforest. Huge numbers of volunteers worked through all weathers planting thousands of native trees and shrubs across one third of the site. The saplings of oak, birch, rowan, holly, alder, willow, and hazel were all sourced from local tree nurseries.  Three year on some 7,000 trees are forming a new temperate rainforest. Claire Inglis, Devon Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve Officer, said: “I’m so proud of what we and local people have created here at Bowden Pillars. The weather hasn’t always been the kindest to us. This past winter has been one of the wettest on record and yet our volunteers have still turned up regularly, while the community planting days we organised also attracted good numbers of local people. Without their efforts we couldn’t have planted so many trees so swiftly.”  In years to come, the temperate rainforest will provide a haven for mosses, liverworts, lichens, and ferns and many animals including stoats and pine martens, as well as rare birds such as wood warblers, redstarts, and pied flycatchers. 

You can find out more about the Devon Wildlife trust here.

How marvellous and wonderful

you have been to children like us,

almighty, loving, merciful and eternal God.

We glorify your Holy Name.

May you be exalted among the nations.

We thank you for your great love and care.

We rejoice that you are always with us

and will never leave us.

We give you glory for your incredible sacrifice

so that we might have freedom and life.

We bless you for bringing hope

through the toughest of times,

strengthening us for your purposes.

We thank you for your inheritance of eternal life,

that we may live forever at one with you.

We will sing of your almighty power for all eternity.

Amen. 

2nd May 2026

According to an analysis by Oxfam released yesterday, the 1,500 highest-paid corporate executives around the world received an average of around $8.4 million last year, amounting to an 11% increase in executive pay compared with 2024 and a 54% rise compared with 2019.  However, for all other workers their inflation-adjusted average income was just $17,156 last year, 0.5% higher than in 2024, but 12% lower than in 2019. Patricia Stottlemyer, labour rights policy lead for Oxfam America, told news broadcaster CNBC, "What the data shows is that we cannot have a conversation about the affordability crisis without talking about extreme inequality, and in particular the extreme inequality between CEO pay and worker pay." Oxfam's findings are supported by further independent research by Fast Company,  published in January 2026.  This also showed a widening gap between executive remuneration and worker earnings with CEO pay growth consistently outpacing wage increases for average employees. 

You can find out more here.

Loving God, you are the God of justice and truth.  We bring to you our concerns for the injustices in income distribution across the globe. We are concerned so many struggle to survive, even though they have work, while a few high earners continue to take a larger and larger share of the benefits of the world economy.  We pray that work is justly rewarded and that working people are protected from exploitation.  Guide those in positions of authority and power to act with integrity and humanity to ensure there is economic as well as social justice. May we not simply seek to support all who are struggling financially but work to change an economic paradigm that increasingly benefits high income earners more than low income workers.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The first malaria treatment for babies has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).  In 2024, there were 610,000 deaths from malaria, about three quarters were under-fives in Africa. Until now infant children have been treated with medication designed for older children, which the WHS says, increases the risk of dosing errors, side effects and toxicity. The new drug, Coartem Baby, will fill the treatment gap.  It can be be used safely to treat infants as small as 2kg (4.4lb), and comes as sweet cherry-flavoured tablets that can be dissolved into liquids, including breast milk. Dr Martin Fitchet, chief executive of Medicines for Malaria Venture  (MMV), said: “For too long, new-borns and young infants with malaria have fallen through the cracks because existing treatments were not designed with them in mind.” He said the WHO ruling was “a major public-health milestone”. 

Almighty, eternal and loving God,

all hearts are open to you,

you know all our desires,

no secrets are hidden from you.

We thank you for life

and for all that sustains our life on earth.

We thank you for all the blessing you give.

We thank you for families and friends.

We thank you for water and food.

We thank you for home.

Above all things we thank you

for the redemption of the world

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank you that we may share in his resurrection

and live forever in your love.

We thank you for the Holy Spirit

who gives us strength when we are weak.

provides a light upon our path.

and give us guidance when we have decisions to make.

All praise, glory, honour, blessing, and majesty

be to you Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

one eternal God.

Amen.  

1st May 2026

Ukrainian drones have hit Russian oil infrastructure  more than 1,500km from the front line. The attack on the Lukoil facility in Perm is the latest in a series of successful strikes launched by Ukraine on Russian oil infrastructure.  Ukrainian drones can now regularly reach deep into Russian territory. A ship carrying what is said to be stolen Ukrainian grain was not unloaded in Israel but was turned away into "neutral seas" following “a range of procedural measures taken by Ukraine”. Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said: “We will systematically act against the shadow grain fleet, in the same way we act against the shadow oil fleet.” In recent months Ukraine has managed to claw back some territory occupied by Russian troops, aided by technological advances and a slower pace of recruitment of personnel by Russia. 

Loving God, creator and giver of life to all people, hear our prayer for peace between Ukraine and Russia. Wrap into your comfort and care all who mourn those they love. Place your healing hand on all who are injured. May the wall of division between these two countries be pulled down and the nations be lead in the paths of peace.  Pour out your Holy Spirit upon the leaders of the nations across the world that  interventions may be made to bring and end to death and destruction. Loving God, take us by the hand and lead us from  death to life, despair to hope, from fear to trust, from falsehood to truth, from hate to love, from war to peace. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

A €1 million intervention to restore access to education for thousands of conflict-affected children in Sokoto State, Nigeria, has been announced by the EU and United Nations Children's Fund.  The programme, funded through the European Union’s humanitarian arm, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, is expected to reach more than 20,000 children between the ages of five and 17 living in displacement camps and host communities across the state. Head of ECHO in Nigeria, Alexandre Castellano, said children must not be denied their future because of conflict. The funding is for a two year programme, focused on getting children back into classrooms, supporting pupils already enrolled with remedial learning, and providing psychosocial support for children traumatised by violence and displacement. The funds will also improve school sanitation facilities. UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said: “As insecurity threatens learning opportunities for thousands of children in Sokoto State, this initiative will ensure that affected children can continue their education and build the life skills they need for a brighter future.” 

Lord God, almighty King,

and Lord of lords.

I come into your presence with thanksgiving

and enter your court with praise.

You reign above all things.

You are the creator of the world and all that lives.

All your creatures sing your praises.

You are eternal.

You are Holy.

Praise be to you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ.

Praise be to you for sending your Holy Spirit.

You are my shepherd

seeking me out when I am lost,

feeding me with green pastures.

You are the gate that protects me.

Thank you for your love

I worship and adore you.

You are the God of grace, mercy and glory.

Amen.