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 investigting 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.