14th May 2026

Twenty-two people including eight children have been killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon when drones attacked three vehicles in the Barja, Jiyeh and Saadiyat areas, and in the city of Sidon and the towns of Maaliyeh, Chaaitiyeh and Naqoura, and the villages of Arab Salim, Roumine and Harouf. Since a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump almost a month ago, more than 400 people have been killed across the country and more than 10,600 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has already displaced over a million Lebanese. Uri Tzafon, or "Awake, North Wind" is a far-right faction of Israel's settler movement that wants to see the Israeli Lebanese border move further north in an Israeli land grab.  The group envisages Israel's northern border extending to at least the Litani river, which runs some 30 kilometres (19 miles) deep into Lebanese territory, and aims to establish a permanent Israeli civilian presence in the area. A founder of the organisation, Sloutskin, that "The idea is that most of the population flees, we move the border, and we do not let that population return, and it remains a part of the State of Israel by declaration." 

Loving God, we pray for our neighbours in Lebanon and Israel.  We ask your loving care and comfort for all who mounr and grieve; for all whose husbands, children, mothers, fathers, friends and neighbours have been killed.  We pray for people injured that they may make swift and full recoveries and that they will be given the support they need. We ask your peace upon all who live in fear and face and unknown and uncertain future, their homes, livelihoods and communities destroyed.  We pray for your loving care and guidance for all who believe it legitimate to settle on other's land, to force people out so they can come in, to intimidate and cause fear so they can get their own way. Show them love, and show them how to love others. Help them to treat the foreigner in their land as one of their own and how good it is when people live together in unity. We pray for an end to fighting, death, destruction and devastation and ask for peace, forgiveness and healing.   In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Seventeen years ago Deb Gascoyne from the UK was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer, myeloma, and told she would likely not live to see her children grow up.  However,  despite her still undergoing treatment, she is preparing to cycle 280 miles (450km) from London to Paris to raise money for a cancer charity. Over the past seventeen years Deb has raised more than £250,000, and is hoping her latest challenge will push her total past £300,000. "I never dreamed I would have this much time when I started treatment," she said. "I've hopefully defied the odds and will continue to do so for a long time."  She first cycled from London to Paris in 2022, today she repeats that ride.  Deb will be supported by her husband Nick and son Sam, 19, as well as other family members, fellow myeloma patients and their families, her consultant and two clinical nurses. Myeloma, a is a type of blood cancer which affects more than 33,000 people in the UK.  

You can find out more about Myeloma UK here. 

Today is Ascension Day.  We read in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, that Jesus appeared to the disciples for a period of forty days after his resurrection and then ascended into heaven where he now sits at the right hand of the Father.  (See Acts 1:1-11)

Risen Christ,

ascend to heaven,

you sit at the right hand of the Father,

and are acclaimed by angels.

There you intercede for us.

All praise and glory,

thanksgiving, honour and power

be to you, conqueror of death, 

Lord of lords and King of kings.

Amen.