Embedded Files
7th June 2026
The funeral of a seven-month-old Palestinian baby, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, shot dead by an Israeli soldier while in a car with his family in Hebron in the occupied West Bank has taken place. The West Bank is not in Gaza or Lebanon, or any designated combat zone. The incident represents a significant escalation of violence.
Days after the Israel and Lebanon agreed to a conditional truce during United States-mediated talks at least 10 people were killed yesterday, including high-ranking soldiers, in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon. A ceasefire that was supposed to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on April 17, but has never been fully respected by the either side.
Loving God, enfold the parents of Sam Fahd Abu Haikal in your loving care. Meet them in their trauma and grief. Bring your protection to all who live in the West Bank. May the IDF troops take care and diligence when performing their roles so their actions are professional and well considered. We pray too for all the people of south Lebanon, many displaced from home and livelihoods. They see their communities flattened, freinds and neighbours killed, traumatised and fearful. We pray for an end to the violence that brings no hope, no healing, no resolution to competing desires. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, enfold the parents of Sam Fahd Abu Haikal in your loving care. Meet them in their trauma and grief. Bring your protection to all who live in the West Bank. May the IDF troops take care and diligence when performing their roles so their actions are professional and well considered. We pray too for all the people of south Lebanon, many displaced from home and livelihoods. They see their communities flattened, freinds and neighbours killed, traumatised and fearful. We pray for an end to the violence that brings no hope, no healing, no resolution to competing desires. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Yesterday as the Pope began a week long tour of Spain, he urged global leaders to avoid dividing their electorates with "sterile simplifications" to gain popularity and called on them to listen to the world's cries for peace. "Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated," Pope Leo said. "I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity," he added.
Almighty God and Father,
your are the King of glory.
We worship you, we give you praise,
for you alone are the holy one,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the most high;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your constant presence.
We worship you with joy
and seek to know you better.
We thank you that you have created us in your own image
so that we may love, glorify and serve you.
We thank you for the many blessings
you give each day that sustain our bodies and our souls
and that give us purpose and fulfilment.
We thank you that we can turn to you for strength
and support when life is challenging. Amen.
6th June 2026
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said in a statement on Thursday that Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Colombia are the world's most neglected displacement crises. It noted that nationalism and rearmament campaigns were the focus of most wealthy countries rather than humanitarian crises. Sudan has more than 9 million internally displaced people (equivalent to the population of Austria or Spain) with a further four million Sudanese having fled to neighbouring countries. There are also around 19.5 million people in Sudan suffering from hunger. NRC chief Jan Egeland said, "Just as needs in Sudan skyrocketed last year and famine kept spreading, the funding was cut." According to the NRC only 27.4% of the funding needed for DRC last year had been secured, leaving more than 21 million people in need. Egeland commented that wealthier European countries "have become much more inward-looking, more nationalist. Rearmament is now an absolute priority because we have to ensure our own security in Europe. There is Putin threatening us, and so on, but people then forget that there will be pandemics, migratory movements and enormous loss of human life if we don't invest in hope on other continents." This week, UK Members of Parliament expressed their fury as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced sweeping cuts to overseas aid in order to fund the biggest increase in defence spending since the Cold War. Last week France's minister for international partnerships, Éléonore Caroit, made it clear that France's aid policy would be aimed at benefitting France. She said, "the kinds of projects that get funded will increasingly be shaped by European [or French] commercial interests and competitiveness priorities, rather than by development needs or partner-country preference."
You can read the NRC's The world’s most neglected displacement crises report here.
Loving God, forgive us that we have neglected and forgotten people with some of the most basic needs. Forgive us that we have created situations of conflict where people go hungry, have no access to medical care, and are even forced from their homes. Forgive us when we fail to love and care for our neighbour in need. Loving God be alongside all who are displaced from homes and livelihood's, dependant upon the mercy of others. Lead them to places of safety, acceptance, welcome and care. We thank you for aid agencies and their staff who work, often at risk to themselves, to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and heal the sick. May those who benefit most from the way we have organised the world economy have compassion upon those who have benefited least, knowing that what we do for the least of people we do for Christ himself. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, forgive us that we have neglected and forgotten people with some of the most basic needs. Forgive us that we have created situations of conflict where people go hungry, have no access to medical care, and are even forced from their homes. Forgive us when we fail to love and care for our neighbour in need. Loving God be alongside all who are displaced from homes and livelihood's, dependant upon the mercy of others. Lead them to places of safety, acceptance, welcome and care. We thank you for aid agencies and their staff who work, often at risk to themselves, to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and heal the sick. May those who benefit most from the way we have organised the world economy have compassion upon those who have benefited least, knowing that what we do for the least of people we do for Christ himself. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
For decades coastal mangrove swamps had been rapidly declining as they were cleared for fish farms and housing. From the 1980s to 2010, over 12,000 sq km (4,600 sq miles) of mangroves were cleared or destroyed across Asia, Africa and the Americas - an area the size of Jamaica. Mangroves are an important carbon sink soaking-up five times more carbon dioxide than land-based forests. In addition, their tangled roots dissipate the power of waves protecting coastal communities from storm surges and tsunamis. However, a new study shows that since 2010 the world has been gaining more mangroves than it has been losing. Improved legal protections and increased public awareness of their importance, has been major factors in their recovery. They also have a remarkable capacity to regenerate naturally once people stop chopping them down. Restoration efforts over decades have helped degraded forests to recover, but the big change has come from the natural expansion of mangroves in many parts of the world following drops in deforestation. The study also found that many existing forests were actually becoming healthier. Since the 1980s, the proportion of closed canopy mangroves, the richest and most carbon-dense, has grown by nearly 20%.
You can read the research here.
Loving God, you are worthy of praise
from every creature.
You have created the world
with its complexity of inter-related ecosystems,
the movement of the oceans and the seasons.
How wonderful and marvellous you are.
You are the giver of all good things
for you have provided for all that sustains life
in this world and even when earthly life is over.
Praise and glory be to you O Lord.
We thank you for the gift of life.
We thank you for food and homes.
We thank you for good families and good friends.
We thank you for challenges
and all that gives us as sense of achievement and fulfilment.
We thank you for all that gives us joy.
Above all we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ
and for the living presence of the Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory be to you heavenly Father. Amen
5th June 2026
Bangladesh is struggling to battle the worst outbreak of measles in decades. There have been over 600 measles related deaths and about 60,000 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised since 15th March, when the first outbreak was recorded. The government swiftly launch an emergency nationwide immunisation campaign to contain the spread of the disease resulting in 18.4 million children being vaccinated to date. Measles, one of the most infectious pathogens, requires 95 per cent of the population to be vaccinated in order to prevent its spread. “We are tired and too worried about my child. We have nothing left but the prayer to God,” Hosain told reporters. “When I see another child die in front of my eyes,” he said. “I worry about my child, but there’s nothing I can do.”
Loving God, we bring to you the needs of our neighbours in Bangladesh. We place into your healing care all the children in who have fallen ill with measles. Please grant them strength, comfort, and swift healing. Grant wisdom, courage, and compassion to doctors, nurses, and aid workers. Guide them in their decision making so that the spread will be contained. Bless church-based health care providers, who are tirelessly working to treat the sick and prevent the spread of disease. We thank you for the swift response of the government to roll out an emergency vaccination programme. Guide every action with your divine insight and care. May each community's experiences, sadness, fears, and joys as sufferers recover, bring them closer together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, we bring to you the needs of our neighbours in Bangladesh. We place into your healing care all the children in who have fallen ill with measles. Please grant them strength, comfort, and swift healing. Grant wisdom, courage, and compassion to doctors, nurses, and aid workers. Guide them in their decision making so that the spread will be contained. Bless church-based health care providers, who are tirelessly working to treat the sick and prevent the spread of disease. We thank you for the swift response of the government to roll out an emergency vaccination programme. Guide every action with your divine insight and care. May each community's experiences, sadness, fears, and joys as sufferers recover, bring them closer together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CRRDC), supported by the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is working alongside Congolese health authorities to respond to the Ebola outbreak. Together they ensure that bodies are treated with dignity and buried respectfully. Raphael Olangi leads the CRRDC's Dignified and Safe Burial team. His team works with precision and care. "The first thing we do is take a sample from the deceased person in the form of an oral swab. Then we stabilize the body and place it first in a body bag, then in a coffin. The team then transports the coffin to the place of burial," he explained. Fear and disinformation can spread as fast as the virus itself. To counter this, CRRDC volunteers are increasing contact with local communities. Alongside awareness sessions and burials, teams are providing infection prevention and control, as well as psychosocial support.
Loving God, we humble ourselves before you.
We praise you,
for you are worthy of adoration, glory and honour.
We are in awe of you for you provide
love, joy, and peace that is beyond our comprehension.
We praise you that regardless of our waywardness and sin you continue to love us.
We praise you that in your love for us
you sent us your Son, Jesus Christ.
He lived a sinless life
yet died upon the cross
taking upon himself the sin of the world.
We praise you for raising him to new life.
We give you glory,
that through faith in him
we may share in his resurrection,
and live forever in your presence and peace.
Father, we praise you for every blessing you give us.
All praise and glory
and honour and power
be yours for ever.
Amen.
4th June 2026
Yesterday, eight people were killed and 10 others injured after a drone hit a passenger bus travelling through a Russian-occupied Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. Russia has claimed the strike was by a Ukrainian drone, but Ukraine has not confirmed nor denied its involvement. Ukraine did strike an oil terminal near Russia's second largest city of St Petersburg. The strikes follow a day of Russian assault on cities across Ukraine on Tuesday that killed at least 22 people, including several women and children.
Loving God, we ask for your comfort and peace for all who mourn the loss of their family and friends in these attacks and throughout this on-going conflict. Grant the leaders of Ukraine and Russia wisdom and discernment as they navigate the complexities of this conflict. Fill them with a spirit of humility and a desire to end death and destruction, and move towards reconciliation. Inspire them to seek the welfare of their people over power and pride.. Strengthen and lift up communities that have been affected by violence and destruction. Bring together divided communities that they will find common ground and work towards a future where understanding flourishes and peace blossoms. May the people of these two great countries find commonality in their shared humanity, and may love triumph over hate so the world may witness to the power of love and unity in overcoming conflict and adversity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, we ask for your comfort and peace for all who mourn the loss of their family and friends in these attacks and throughout this on-going conflict. Grant the leaders of Ukraine and Russia wisdom and discernment as they navigate the complexities of this conflict. Fill them with a spirit of humility and a desire to end death and destruction, and move towards reconciliation. Inspire them to seek the welfare of their people over power and pride.. Strengthen and lift up communities that have been affected by violence and destruction. Bring together divided communities that they will find common ground and work towards a future where understanding flourishes and peace blossoms. May the people of these two great countries find commonality in their shared humanity, and may love triumph over hate so the world may witness to the power of love and unity in overcoming conflict and adversity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Sales of Fairtrade tea increased by 35% in 2025, equivalent to 549 million additional cups, the Fairtrade Foundation announced on International Tea Day, last month. The growth coincides with the Fairtrade Foundation’s Brew it Fair campaign and UK retailer Sainsbury’s decision to convert its own brand By Sainsbury’s black tea to Fairtrade, the charity said in a statement. Research carried out last year by the Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade Africa suggests that only one in five tea growers in Kenya earn enough income each month to support their families. A tea farmer from Momul Tea Factory, in Kenya, Evelyne Cherugut, said that earnings from tea were unpredictable. “I decided to be involved [in the Fairtrade projects] to make additional income to educate my grandchildren.” The UK market accounts for more than two thirds of all Fairtrade tea sold across the world. Consequently, every extra cup of Fairtrade tea enjoyed in the UK translates into real, tangible benefits for the tea growers who are working hard but struggling to make ends meet. Fairtrade tea is sold through regular retail outlets and supermarkets, including Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, and by Clipper and Ringtons.
Lord, your love is like an ever flowing river.
Your love and mercy wash over me and make me clean.
I love you with all my soul.
I praise you, and glorify our name,
my God, my Lord, my Saviour, my King.
Your justice rolls on like a river,
your righteousness like a never-failing stream!
You flood the nations with mercy and grace.
From your throne, O Lord,
flows a river of the water of life, clear as crystal.
On its banks is the tree of life
with its leaves for the healing of the nations.
I praise you that I can draw water
from the wells of your salvation.
Glory be to you Holy, loving, eternal God.
Amen.
3rd June 2026
According to The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) a new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern could begin in a matter of weeks boosting global temperatures already under strain from climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions have increased the planet's average temperature by around 1.3C since pre-industrial times. That higher baseline supercharges the impact of El Nino enabling higher peak temperature, more intense droughts, heatwaves, rains, and the resulting disasters, including bushfires, floods and crop failures. The combination of climate change and El Nino has led the WMO to warn that 2027 could be the hottest year on record. Gareth Redmond-King, from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, a British think-tank, said the findings were bad news for food supplies as they were already under strain from climate breakdown and the restriction of fertiliser flows from the Iran war.
Loving God, we thank you for this warning from the climate scientists. We are sad that our unwillingness to address the climate crisis will make the impact of el ninio significantly worse. May the leaders of nations heed this warning and seek to make preparations that will reduce the impact on the most vulnerable people. Help us Lord, to treasure the earth, not abuse it. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, we thank you for this warning from the climate scientists. We are sad that our unwillingness to address the climate crisis will make the impact of el ninio significantly worse. May the leaders of nations heed this warning and seek to make preparations that will reduce the impact on the most vulnerable people. Help us Lord, to treasure the earth, not abuse it. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed a $3.1 million agreement to strengthen protection and healthcare services for forcibly displaced people in Yemen. The agreement will provide nearly 45,000 people with access to essential services, including civil documentation, legal aid, voluntary refugee return support, and primary healthcare, helping vulnerable families maintain stability and dignity amid Yemen’s deepening humanitarian crisis. Under the agreement, thousands of internally displaced people and refugees will be supported in obtaining identity and civil registration documents, enabling them to regain access to basic rights, protection mechanisms, and public services. Legal assistance to address displacement-related challenges, including eviction threats, housing and property disputes, will also be provided. In addition, funding will further support services at three healthcare centres in Sana’a, Aden, and Kharaz Refugee Camp in the Lahij governorate.
Heavenly Father, you are an awesome God.
You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
You are the source of all life,
Everything that is alive relies on you.
You love us and care for us,
We thank you that the fire of your love
burns within our hearts
You want us to walk with you every day.
Thank you for listening to us and hearing our prayers.
We praise you for Jesus our Lord,
who gave his life that we may have life.
We thank you for the Holy Spirit
who lives within all your faithful people.
We celebrate your glory.
We worship you in spirit and in truth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
2nd June 2026
According to new Oxfam Australia analysis of the 2026 Australian Financial Review Rich List the wealth of Australia’s billionaires increased by almost $50,000 every minute in the past year. The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) figures show 3,706,000 people live in poverty, (around 13.5% of the total population) including 757,000 children under 15 years. One in three households experienced food insecurity last year. Oxfam Australia’s chief executive, Jennifer Tierney, said “There is something fundamentally wrong with a system where extreme wealth keeps skyrocketing while so many people are struggling to afford the basics, and governments claim there is not enough money for housing, healthcare, climate action and essential services.” In separate research by the Salvation Army it was found that in survey of 4,400 Australians seeking emergency relief support found that nearly one in five (19 per cent) were eating from bins, and three in five (60 per cent) were eating expired or spoiled food over the past 12 months. The Salvation Army's Mayor, Bruce Harmer, “No one in Australia should be forced to choose between heating their home, feeding their children or buying medication, yet this is the reality facing more and more people every single day."
Loving God, there is something that is not right with our economic systems that enable a few people to benefit so much whilst so many struggle for survival. We thank you for Oxfam highlighting the financial inequalities in Australia. May the Australian people question the economic justice in their economic and political system that people need not live in food precarity not 757,000 children live in poverty. You have taught us that the love of money is the root of all evil, and that we should be compassionate when we see our neighbours in need. Help us to make our prayer that your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven a reality. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, there is something that is not right with our economic systems that enable a few people to benefit so much whilst so many struggle for survival. We thank you for Oxfam highlighting the financial inequalities in Australia. May the Australian people question the economic justice in their economic and political system that people need not live in food precarity not 757,000 children live in poverty. You have taught us that the love of money is the root of all evil, and that we should be compassionate when we see our neighbours in need. Help us to make our prayer that your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven a reality. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thomas was unloading cattle at the mart in Clogher on May 17 last year when a bull in one of the loading bays struck him resulting in Thomas sustaining serious internal injuries to his abdomen. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) were called to the scene where the HEMS doctor and paramedic placed Thomas into an induced coma before getting him to hospital. Thomas spent thirty-one days in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and a further four days in Craigavon Area Hospital recovering from his injuries. Thomas and his wife Jackie were so grateful for the swift response of the air ambulance team that they held a fund raiser - a ‘Night of Celebration’ at Quinn’s Corner, Dungannon on Saturday 18th April. Included was a live auction, raffle, live music. The event attended by hundreds of people from across the entire community in support of Thomas. £90K raised for air ambulance, enough to fund the service for eleven days. Damien McAnespie, Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI, “I want to thank Thomas, Jackie and the entire community for their incredible donation to the charity. Thomas has made a wonderful recovery over the last twelve months since his accident and he has certainly played a huge part in ensuring the helicopter emergency medical service can continue to be there for those who need it most.
God the Father, you made a world of plenty,
enough for all.
You made people in your image
to share and delight in your bounty
and live together in unity
We give you thanks and praise.
God the Son, you came to show us the Father's love.
You died so our sin would be forgiven.
You taught us how to live together in unity.
We give you thanks and praise.
God the Holy Spirit, you were sent
that we may not be left as orphans.
You came to teach, admonish, to guide,
and to equip us for service in the Kingdom,
that people may live together in unity
with God and one another.
We give you thanks and praise.
One eternal God, Father, Son and Holy Sprit,
we glorify you and magnify your Holy name.
Amen.
1st June 2026
At least 55 people have been killed and more than 70 injured in a massive explosion in a rebel controlled village of Kaungtup in Shan state, Myanmar. The explosion happened in a warehouse containing explosives, owned by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). Approximately 100 homes were damaged. The TNLA is one of several rebel groups fighting the ruling military junta. It expressed “deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, were injured, and suffered damage as a result of the explosion”, that those found responsible would be held accountable, and that relief, healthcare and rehabilitation for the families affected by the blast would be provided as soon as possible.
Loving God, our hearts go out to our neighbours in Kaungtup as they grieve the loss of so many of their family and neighbours. In the shadow of loss and pain, hold them gently in your embrace, quietening fear and consoling sorrow, and bringing light to mourning hearts. May all who are injured be given the healing care they need; and may those with life changing injuries be supported by the community. Surround them with people who will listen, care, and walk beside them through the dark valley. Be with your faithful people in Myanmar. Be their protection. May they be able to bring your love to all, that love will repair what has been broken. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, our hearts go out to our neighbours in Kaungtup as they grieve the loss of so many of their family and neighbours. In the shadow of loss and pain, hold them gently in your embrace, quietening fear and consoling sorrow, and bringing light to mourning hearts. May all who are injured be given the healing care they need; and may those with life changing injuries be supported by the community. Surround them with people who will listen, care, and walk beside them through the dark valley. Be with your faithful people in Myanmar. Be their protection. May they be able to bring your love to all, that love will repair what has been broken. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of budget airline EasyJet has announced a donation of 550,000 cans to the Trussell's Lambeth and Croydon foodbanks in London UK. This donation is in addition to previous support through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation’s Food From the Heart programme, including a contribution of chilli con carne cans worth over £1million last year. Stelios said, “My fortune is not big enough to solve poverty all over the world, but I am going to support Lambeth and Croydon as it’s closest to home." Trussell has been instrumental in supporting communities facing food insecurity. Emma Revie, CEO of Trussell, said: “Our food banks are nearly at breaking point. Our food banks have come through the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, but we will find a way. A lot of the work we do at Trussell is about trying to tackle why it is people come to food banks.” The partnership between EasyJet and Trussell exemplifies how businesses can engage in corporate social responsibility, leveraging their resources to support vital community initiatives that can provide immediate relief but also inspire a sense of community and solidarity.
I will praise you Lord, with all my heart.
From the highest mountain I will praise you.
From the depths of the deepest valley I will praise you.
From the heart of the city I will praise you.
May your name be lifted high.
For you are an awesome God.
Amen.
31st May 2026
The UN has added Israel and Russia to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict. The UN report cited a selection of cases which are “indicative of incidents and patterns” rather than a comprehensive summary of conflict-related sexual violence by Israelis, because of restrictions on UN investigators. The UN verified sexual abuse of 31 Palestinian men, women and children from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank between 2023 and 2025. Israeli attacks included repeated gang-rapes and the use of sexual violence as a form of torture. Other violations including rape with objects, attempted rape, attacks on genitals, targeted shooting of genitals, touching of breasts and genitals, forced nudity and threats of rape.
The UN found that Russia uses systematic sexual torture against Ukrainians, both civilians and prisoners of war, in “almost all” detention centres. In two-thirds of cases, Russian forces used multiple forms of sexual violence. The majority of victims suffered repeated sexual attacks.
Loving God, we laments that sexual violence is used as a weapon of war, and used upon civilians as well as combatants. May perpetrators not degrade themselves bringing shame upon their countries. We thank you for the work of the UN in highlighting these atrosities. May the international community put diplomatic pressure on Isreal and Russia to ensure that captives are treated with dignity and that perpetrators are brought to justice. We ask your loving care and compassion for all victims, and we ask for your physical and emotional healing of their injuries. We pray there will be a swift end to these wars and conflicts so that misery, pain and fear can be transformed into joy and freedom. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Loving God, we laments that sexual violence is used as a weapon of war, and used upon civilians as well as combatants. May perpetrators not degrade themselves bringing shame upon their countries. We thank you for the work of the UN in highlighting these atrosities. May the international community put diplomatic pressure on Isreal and Russia to ensure that captives are treated with dignity and that perpetrators are brought to justice. We ask your loving care and compassion for all victims, and we ask for your physical and emotional healing of their injuries. We pray there will be a swift end to these wars and conflicts so that misery, pain and fear can be transformed into joy and freedom. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Mark Bush lives in Darlington UK. He is a volunteer PAT (portable appliance testing) specialist. This means he tests all kinds of electrical goods to make sure they are safe. He works voluntarily for his local Oxfam Shop to ensure any electrical item donated for resale is safe to be used. All kinds of portable electrical equipment including radios, vacuum cleaners, toasters, slow-cookers, hairdryers, food-mixers, blenders, even trouser-presses donated are safe to be sold to raise finds for Oxfam. Mark tests every single one ensuring their safety so they can be sold generating thousands of pounds in revenue to help Oxfam fight global poverty. “It gives me so much,” he says. “I’ve developed new skills, boosted my confidence, and found an extended family made up of lovely people.” This coming week is National Volunteer Week – an annual celebration of the huge army of people across the UK who give their time for the benefit of others. It is estimated that there are over 14 million people who volunteer, in so many different ways, through formal groups or organisations each year.
Today is Trinity Sunday.
It is the day when the world-wide church celebrates the one God as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:
hold us firm in this faith,
that we may know you in all your ways
and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,
who are three Persons yet one God, now and for ever. Amen
Post communion prayer for Trinity Sunday,
from Common Worship, Church of England
30th May 2026
Yesterday, in the eastern town of Galați, near Romania's border with Ukraine, a Russian drone hit a block of flats causing a fire and injuring two people. The incident was condemned by Romania, NATO, and the EU. Drones fired by Russia have strayed into Romania a number of times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but it is the first time Romanians have been injured. The drone cause a fire in the apartment block which was later extinguished. Around 70 people were evacuated. Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the drone was likely hit by Ukrainian air defences over Kyiv's territory, altering its trajectory. NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte, has said the alliance is “ready to defend every inch” of its territory. Romanian officials said what appeared to be a reconnaissance drone also crashed in the north of the country. And the country says it has endured at least 28 drone incursions into its airspace over the last year.
Loving God, we bring to you our concerns for our neighbours in Romania. We ask your protection and safety for them and your healing for the two people injured in this attack. Guide the Romanian and NATO authorities to determine whether or not this was a deliberate or unintentional strike. May the relationships between Romania and Russia not become inflamed, but may contructive dialongue avoid an escalation of the conflict between russia and Ukraine. Grant cool heads and wisdom to all who make decisions. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, we bring to you our concerns for our neighbours in Romania. We ask your protection and safety for them and your healing for the two people injured in this attack. Guide the Romanian and NATO authorities to determine whether or not this was a deliberate or unintentional strike. May the relationships between Romania and Russia not become inflamed, but may contructive dialongue avoid an escalation of the conflict between russia and Ukraine. Grant cool heads and wisdom to all who make decisions. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
A group of men had been hunting for gold in a cave in Laos when they were cut off and isolated inside the cavern after flash floods hit on 20 May. Five were discovered alive on Wednesday. Two other men are still missing. Yesterday, the five were successfully rescued. Footage of the five men released on Wednesday showed them miserable and overed in mud, telling rescuers they were suffering chest pains and hungry. Specialist divers from Thailand, Indonesia, France and Australia have provided extra expertise.
Creator God, we thank you for each new day.
We thank you for the opportunities
each day provides for us to wonder at your magnificence.
We thank you for the opportunities
each new day gives us to demonstrate your love
to those we meet
and to proclaim your Gospel of Salvation.
We thank you for each new day
and the opportunities it provides
to make Christ known in the world.
We thank you for the changing seasons.
For the warm of the sun, the chill of the morning,
for bird song and the sound of the breeze throug the trees.
We thank you for all that gives us a glimpse
of the wonder and magnificence of your love
through the support and companionships of others.
We thank you that when our earthly life is over,
death is not the end
but that through faith in your Son Jesus Christ the Lord
we continue to live in that place he has gone to prepare for us.
All praise and glory be to you
wonderful, powerful, almighty and eternal God. Amen.
30th May 2026
Yesterday, in the eastern town of Galați, near Romania's border with Ukraine, a Russian drone hit a block of flats causing a fire and injuring two people. The incident was condemned by Romania, NATO, and the EU. Drones fired by Russia have strayed into Romania a number of times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but it is the first time Romanians have been injured. The drone cause a fire in the apartment block which was later extinguished. Around 70 people were evacuated. Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the drone was likely hit by Ukrainian air defences over Kyiv's territory, altering its trajectory. NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte, has said the alliance is “ready to defend every inch” of its territory. Romanian officials said what appeared to be a reconnaissance drone also crashed in the north of the country. And the country says it has endured at least 28 drone incursions into its airspace over the last year.
Loving God, we bring to you our concerns for our neighbours in Romania. We asj your protection and safety for them and your healing for the two people injured in this attack. Guide the Romanian and NATO authorities to determine whether or not this was a deliberate or unintentional strike. May the relationships between Romania and Russia not become inflamed, but may constructive dialogue avoid an escalation of the conflict between russia and Ukraine. Grant cool heads and wisdom to all who make decisions. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Loving God, we bring to you our concerns for our neighbours in Romania. We asj your protection and safety for them and your healing for the two people injured in this attack. Guide the Romanian and NATO authorities to determine whether or not this was a deliberate or unintentional strike. May the relationships between Romania and Russia not become inflamed, but may constructive dialogue avoid an escalation of the conflict between russia and Ukraine. Grant cool heads and wisdom to all who make decisions. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
29th May 2026
Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said yesterday that an extreme early heat event sweeping across western Europe was “a brutal reminder of the spiralling impacts of the climate crisis”. Stiell added, “The science is clear that human-induced climate change is making these heatwaves more frequent and extreme.” Both France and the UK set new temperature records for May on two consecutive days this week. There have also been temperatures exceeding 43C in India, where authorities have reported deaths from heatstroke. A new study published on Tuesday in the Lancet Planetary Health journal demonstrates that the climate crisis is accelerating a global increase in antibiotic resistance that poses a serious threat to human health. Climate change is associated with a 10% global increase in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes between 1940 and 2023. Research shows that global heating is already estimated to be taking one life every minute, with the toll likely to rise unless emissions fall rapidly. It was also revealed yesterday that an expedition to document the disappearance of the last tropical glaciers in Oceania has revealed sombre findings. The two remaining glaciers in West Papua, Indonesia, which are known locally as “eternal snow” have lost 95% of their areas since 2002. “The ice will be gone: it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” said Klaus Thymann, a Danish explorer and the founder of Project Pressure, an environmental charity. “And ‘when’ is coming very, very soon.”
Creator God, only you see the big picture, this earth that, spinning through space can sustain the life we see and hear, warmed by sun, refreshed by rain, fed by seed sown and harvested, if we will only play our part. Forgive our complacency, our arrogance and greed, and raise up leaders who, with wisdom, can work together for the good of all, and save this precious gift for future generations. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright © John Birch, 2020 from Faith and Worship
https://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_care_for_Gods_world.htm#gsc.tab=0
Mighty Convoy is a non-profit group raising funds to buy second-hand ambulances and 4×4 trucks that are loaded with aid. Every month they make a 2,400 mile round trip from London to Lviv, Ukraine. The trucks are driven by pensioners, businessmen and ex-forces volunteers. A convoy of second-hand Renault and Peugeot ambulances as well as 4×4 Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks make the journey to provide aid to hospitals, frontline medics and orphans in war-torn Ukraine. Mighty Convoy has delivered over 100 vehicles including 70 ambulances, 28 pick-up trucks, and four ex-Iceland delivery vans. A spokesman for the organisation said that “We know our vehicles save lives. The Ukrainians are telling us that." He added: “If the war does drag on, we will still be here. We’re committed to support Ukraine as long as they need us."
You can find out more about Mighty Convoy here.
Father God, we rejoice for you are King.
We adore you.
We lift up our hearts and voices to sing your praises
You are the God of truth and love.
Your Son, Jesus Christ has taken away our sin.
You have given him the keys of death and hell.
He reigns with you over earth and heaven.
We rejoice that you live within your people
by the power of your Holy Spirit.
We rejoice that Jesus will come to judge the world
and that he leads all his faithful people
to their eternal home. Amen.
28th May 2026
Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said yesterday that an extreme early heat event sweeping across western Europe was “a brutal reminder of the spiralling impacts of the climate crisis”. Stiell added, “The science is clear that human-induced climate change is making these heatwaves more frequent and extreme.” Both France and the UK set new temperature records for May on two consecutive days this week. There have also been temperatures exceeding 43C in India, where authorities have reported deaths from heatstroke. A new study published on Tuesday in the Lancet Planetary Health journal demonstrates that the climate crisis is accelerating a global increase in antibiotic resistance that poses a serious threat to human health. Climate change is associated with a 10% global increase in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes between 1940 and 2023. Research shows that global heating is already estimated to be taking one life every minute, with the toll likely to rise unless emissions fall rapidly. It was also revealed yesterday that an expedition to document the disappearance of the last tropical glaciers in Oceania has revealed sombre findings. The two remaining glaciers in West Papua, Indonesia, which are known locally as “eternal snow” have lost 95% of their areas since 2002. “The ice will be gone: it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” said Klaus Thymann, a Danish explorer and the founder of Project Pressure, an environmental charity. “And ‘when’ is coming very, very soon.”
Creator God, only you see the big picture, this earth that, spinning through space can sustain the life we see and hear, warmed by sun, refreshed by rain, fed by seed sown and harvested, if we will only play our part. Forgive our complacency, our arrogance and greed, and raise up leaders who, with wisdom, can work together for the good of all, and save this precious gift for future generations. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright © John Birch, 2020 from Faith and Worship
https://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_care_for_Gods_world.htm#gsc.tab=0
The Church of Uganda and US based charity VisionSpring are working in partnership to screen the eyesight of 45,000 people and give 21,000 pairs of glasses this year to those in need of them. VisionSpring is providing two-day programmes of training in screening for churches and other organisations. The church-partnership model was piloted in Zambia in June 2023, before being extended to Malawi and Uganda. Uganda has a shortage of eye-care professionals with fewer than 40 ophthalmologists serving more than 50 million people. The Church of Uganda manages more than 256 health facilities, which include 15 hospitals and 119 health centres. The director of health services for the Church of Uganda, Angala Ochieng Stephen, said: “Reading glasses are more than a tool for clearer vision — they restore dignity, productivity, and independence. For many clergy, teachers, farmers, tailors, and small-business owners, being able to read again means being able to work confidently, serve others effectively, and provide for their families. The role of the Church is going beyond spreading the word of God and contributing to people’s livelihoods.” Julius Mujuni, the Uganda country lead at VisionSpring, said: “By identifying those in need, distributing glasses, and raising awareness about eye health, we’re helping people regain the ability to work, extending their livelihood and their ability to support their families, and participate fully in daily life. A simple pair of glasses can restore more than sight: it restores dignity, independence, and the ability to earn a living.”
Find out more about VisionSpring here.
Father, we come before you in Jesus' name
We sing your praise with joy and gladness.
We thank you that you know each of us
you know our needs, our fears,
our successes and achievements
We are the sheep of your pasture
and thank you for your care and protection,
and for providing all we need.
We thank you for your Word,
made flesh in Jesus Christ.
We thank you for his death and resurrection
and that he has opened the gates of heaven
to all believers,
that we may go in
and be forever in your presence.
We praise you for your faithfulness
and that your love is eternal.
Glory and blessings be to you almighty God.
Amen.
27th May 2026
Yesterday, the USA breached its ceasefire agreement with Iran saying it had targeted air strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines. Israel breached its ceasefire agreement killing at least three Palestinians and injuring dozens more in an attack on a residential building in one of Gaza City's busiest market areas Gaza City this morning. Israel claims it has killed Hamas's armed wing commander Mohammed Odeh. Yesterday Israel also said it hit more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters in Lebanon. At least 31 people were killed, including several children, in what was one of the heaviest nights of bombardment since a US-brokered ceasefire began in mid-April.
Loving God, the fighting, killing and destruction has top stop. Forgive that people seek to harm others, people made in your image. Bring peace to the Middle East. May the voices of hate, and division be silenced. May the voices of love and unity be heard. May tears of pain and sadness become smiles of hope and happiness. Bring comfort to all who mourn the deaths of those they love, the destruction of homes and communities that hold memories of celebration, and joy. Bring healing to injured bodies and broken international relationships. Turn swords into ploughshares, and aircraft carriers into fishing fleets. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The European Union and UNICEF have sent 100 tons of humanitarian supplies to the Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support the Ebola response. The shipment was flown out on Monday from Liege in Belgium, is expected to support around 100,000 people affected by the outbreak. UNICEF said the aid includes essential medicines, infection prevention and control items, personal protective equipment, cholera and malaria treatment supplies, high-performance tents and related equipment. According to the EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib this outbreak of Ebola causes a "danger to the region, the country, and neighbouring countries."
How wonderful, how great and mighty are you, our God.
You are the source of all life and all that is.
We give thanks for all that you provide.
We thank you for food to eat,
for homes and friendships.
We thank you for healthcare and education.
We thank you for the kindness shown to us by others.
We thank you for all that gives us joy and fulfils our lives.
We thank you that you love us so much
that you sent your Son Jesus Christ
to live among us and teach us about your love for us.
We thank you that thorough his death and resurrection
we may continue to live
even when our earthly life is over.
We thank you for the Holy Spirit
living within your faithful people,
our constant companion and guide.
All paise, glory, honour and power
be to you One living and eternal God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
26th May 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak is outpacing efforts to contain its spread. Countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are at high risk from the disease. The WHO’s director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu said yesterday, “We are urgently scaling up operations, but at the moment the epidemic is outpacing us." At least 220 people are now suspected to have died from the ongoing Ebola outbreak with at least 900 cases in the DRC alone. There have been a number of recent attacks on hospitals and health care facilities as people distrust authorities, and because they have been prevented from receiving the dead bodies of their loved ones to bury them. Bodies from Ebola deaths are very infectious. The Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus responsible for the current outbreak has no approved vaccine or treatment. Scientists at the University of Oxford are working on a vaccine and expect clinical trials to begin two to three months.
Loving God, help us to keep the people of the DRC and its neighbours in our hearts and in our prayers. We pray for your comfort and care for all who mourn unable to bury their dead. We thank you for medical teams trying to relieve suffering at risk to themselves. We ask your protection for them. We thank you for the research teams at Oxford University and ask your guidance in their work that they may be successful in developing an effective vaccine. We pray too that there will be good hygiene information so that people are protected from contracting the disease and that appropriate protocols in industry, commerce and public spaces will be implemented and rigorously followed. We entrust all those infected and affected by Ebola to your infinite and loving power and compassion. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Isaiah is just ten years old. He was getting ready for football while his mum was speaking to her mum on the phone. His Dad was away from the house working. Suddenly, Isaiah's mother began slurring her words. Isaiah came into the bedroom and, despite the upsetting scene, managed to muster the courage to call 999. It was clear that his mother was suffering stroke. Isaiah ran to let the paramedics into the house and led them to his mother's bedroom. Isaiah's swift actions saved his mother's life. The stroke was a ‘complete shock’ but through a change of diet and exercise "I have been able to get back to where I should be" hi mother said. Isaiah said: “I feel really proud for saving my mummy. When she stopped talking, I had to call London Ambulance otherwise she would have got worse. I was very worried and then I heard the sirens.” Isaiah was awarded a certificate at London Ambulance Service’s Waterloo Headquarters to recognise his bravery, where he thanked the paramedics and call handler for helping sae his mum's life. Paramedic Josh said, it was an important lesson for all: “Parents should teach their children how to call 999, ensure they know their address and listen to instructions given by the call handlers. They will guide your children on what they need to do in an emergency.”
Father, we love you,
We praise, worship, honour, and adore you,
Throughout the earth we glorify your Holy Name.
Jesus, we love you,
We praise, worship, honour, and adore you,
Throughout the earth we glorify your Holy Name.
Spirit, we love you,
We praise, worship, honour, and adore you,
Throughout the earth we glorify your Holy Name.
All majesty and power, be yours one eternal God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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