13th May 2026

On Monday an 80-bed Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in South Sudan was bombed, burned and looted as civil conflict grows. About 250,000 people depended on the medical facility. The Guardian newspaper carries an exclusive of the impact of the ‘trend of violence’ against healthcare in the country. Not a single bed, chair or desk remains on the bombed out wards, now turned to dust and rubble.  The UN estimates that, since December 2025, more than 304,000 people in Jonglei have been displaced by the conflict. In February, the high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk said, “Civilians are bearing the brunt of a spike in indiscriminate attacks, including aerial bombardments, deliberate killings, abductions and conflict-related sexual violence.”  This incident is just one of many cts of violence creating what Jan Egeland, the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, described as a “sign of a global collapse” in basic protection of civilians. He was commenting on a newly published report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) that shows that by the end of last year there were 32.3m conflict-driven internal displacements. That is 60% higher than those recorded the previous year.  This exceeded displacements driven by natural disasters, for the first time since data collection began in 2008.  Nearly half of all people forced to leave their homes last year because of conflicts were in Sudan, Colombia, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. Sudan accounted for the largest number of internally displaced people for the third consecutive year. 

Loving God, we pray for our neighbours across the world who, due to our inhumanity towards one another, are forced from their homes. May they find comfort in their distress, strength to face the future, and support from others, such as MSF, who devote their lives to caring for others.  Lord of peace, move among waring factions that they will see the devastating impact of their actions and cease to fight but find ways to resolve problems through diplomacy. We pray that you would restore justice and peace to the nations. Guide the international community to work together to support people in desperate need that they may eventually be able to return to their homes or be supported to start new lives in new places.  May the needs of the marginalised, poor and weak, never be ignored or forgotten. Place your healing hand on all who will now suffer because the hospital in Jonglei state is no longer functioning.  Bless the work of MSF, keep their staff safe and strengthen their resolve to bring love, care and help to people in desperate need.  Help us, and all your people, to fix this broken world, so that our pray, "may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" may become a reality.    In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Something miraculous is happening in Jamaica. Last year homicides fell 40% on the previous year. 673 murders were recorded - the first time since 1993 that total annual murders fell below 700. The dramitic fall has been attributed to increased police tip-offs. Jamaica's Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr. Horace Chang said that this shows that islanders are standing up for their communities, leaving the tip reward money on the table for reasons of “patriotism.” “This shows that it is not about money. It is about patriotism. It is about trust. It is about citizens taking a stand for their communities. This is something we must celebrate,” he said. With a homicide rate of 23 per 100,000 residents, Jamaica is now one of the safer countries across Central  and South America and the Caribbean.

God of love

praise, honour, glory and power be to you.

You are the lord of life and conqueror of death.

You are our help in every time of trouble.

With all your people in earth and heaven

we bow in worship.

We thank you for Jesus Christ,

for his perfect life on earth,

for his suffering for us and his triumph over death.

We thank you for sending your Holy Spirit

who lives within your faithful people

All praise and glory be to you

one eternal God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.