Czech Republic: a new space for students to explore faith

In Brno, CMS partners Lea and Petra Williams lead the local Anglican congregation, supporting people to grow in their relationship with Jesus and encouraging others to begin a journey of faith. Lea supports evangelism work among students, including a new initiative starting this autumn called Café Theology, an evening of theology and philosophy in a pub. Pray for students to find a welcoming space where they can ask questions and explore faith.

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Ukraine: latest attack

The latest Russian strikes on Kyiv have killed at least 13 people and injured a further 40. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the deaths were a result of a shortage of air defence missiles. Pray for protection for the people of Ukraine, and ultimately for an end to the war. Pray also for Alison Giblett, who works with CMS in Kyiv, offering prayer, comfort and practical support to people who are suffering.

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UK: preparation for festivals

Two teams from the CMS office are preparing to represent the organisation at Greenbelt and Big Church Festival over the August bank holiday weekend. Pray for plans for transport and other practicalities to come together. If you are going to be at one of these festivals, please do come and say hello!

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UK: mission partners on leave

Many CMS mission partners are currently on UK leave, trying to fit in as many church visits as possible as well as spending time with family and friends, and trying to find some time to rest. Pray for opportunities to recharge amid the busyness and to be able to return to overseas locations feeling refreshed.

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Ukraine: missile and drone attack

Please continue to lift up the people of Ukraine, where the ongoing war with Russia has cost more lives this week. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said Russia launched more than 70 missiles and over 280 drones at Ukraine during the course of one night. Eight people died during this attack, and several homes and businesses sustained significant damage. Pray for comfort for the families of these latest fatalities, and for all those who are grieving loved ones who were taken far too soon. Pray with mission partner Alison Giblett, based in Kyiv, for people to turn to Jesus, and for an end to the war.

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Spain: family transitions

Miranda and Tim Heathcote support mission workers, especially those serving in difficult locations, through debriefing, spiritual direction, retreats and leadership development, both online and in person. For the past two years, they have divided their time between Oxfordshire and Place of Springs, their ministry house in Spain. Pray for them as they transition back to being at Place of Springs full time. Miranda and Tim ask for prayer for their younger daughter as she seeks accommodation and a more full-time job in Oxford by the end of August.

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Spain/North Africa: on leave in the UK

This week CMS staff in Oxford were blessed to have a visit from a family engaged in mission in Spain and North Africa. The family ask for prayer for protection and encouragement for Muslim-background believers. Pray for protection and good health for the parents and children while they spend the next few weeks in the UK visiting churches and catching up with friends.

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UK: meeting with God in nature

Pray for seven people taking part in a hiking retreat in Scotland over the next few days hosted by Miranda and Tim Heathcote. As well as retreats such as this one, partners Miranda and Tim support mission workers with leadership development, spiritual direction and debriefing, at their retreat house in Spain and online. Pray for good weather and for the retreat to be a time of precious encounter with God for each person.

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Ukraine: respite for soldiers

Alison Giblett, serving in Kyiv, asks for prayer for a respite ministry for soldiers being run by her church, particularly for respite for active soldiers when away from the frontline. Respite needs include physical care, such as relief for backs and muscles, nutrition and spiritual support. Please pray for the chaplains as they stand alongside the soldiers, build relationships and share the gospel. Please pray for vision to meet the huge need for respite centres across Ukraine offering medical, psychological and spiritual support for soldiers.

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Spain: new roof for spiritual retreat

Miranda and Tim Heathcote celebrate the success of a fundraising event that took place at the end of April, raising funds that will go directly towards building a roof over the outdoor meeting and reflection space at their spiritual retreat in Spain. The lack of a roof severely limits the use of this space. Please pray for the remaining funds to be raised in order to complete this project.

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In a significant answer to prayer, a project in Cumbria that connects with people on the margins through practical hands-on workshops re-opened at the end of February 2026.

In October 2025, Carlisle’s Community Shed was forced to close for financial reasons. The team, including mission partner Garry Ion, moved the contents of the Shed into a storage unit.

Following an outcry in the local community and a special fundraising effort, the Shed has reopened its doors. Once again, people living with loneliness and mental health challenges, including people recently released from prisons, can find invaluable support.

Garry shares that the new shed is even better than the old one: “We have a spacious workshop and social area with sofas and an indoor games area.

“The original shed started in a garage during the COVID lockdown by myself and Pioneer Chaplain, Rev Chris Harwood. This time, the local community’s involvement, commitment and determination have driven its reopening.

“The new Community Shed is in a very underprivileged area of Carlisle, and it’s truly heartwarming to see the generosity and time given by the community to support its future. We have so much to be grateful for as we begin this new chapter together.”

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There’s one obvious prayer we all want answered for the people and country of Ukraine. Peace. Lasting, trustworthy peace. But, four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war-weary country is still facing daily tragedies.

As a Christian, how do you hold on to the hope and promises of God when there’s devastation all around you? CMS mission partner Alison Giblett shares how answers to daily small prayers and witnessing incredible miracles keep her going as she chooses to keep serving God in Kyiv:

I felt very strongly at the beginning of the war that God was calling me to stay in Ukraine. Although it’s not easy, I do see purpose in me being here. God has given me peace, that if he’s called me to stay, he hasn’t called me to die.

God is strengthening my faith, growing my awareness of how much I need him and increasing my confidence in his ability to protect and provide. And he has given me much work to do!

Widows, orphans and grieving parents

I work closely with a couple who lead a chaplaincy ministry and a ministry to the bereaved women and children in their region. Their youngest son volunteered to fight at the start of the war and God miraculously protected him many times when he was sent on front line assignments. Yet, tragically he was killed in a car crash in Kyiv after returning home.

I’ve developed quite a friendship with them. Standing alongside them in their grief while they still help so many people around them. I love going to their farm to help and to visit the widows and orphans they care for in their local area.

We make regular visits to the villages taking food bags, and offering to pray for people, which is always an encouragement. Our team have built up a good relationship with the local authorities who link them up with the bereaved. I’m encouraged by their faithfulness in prayer and sacrifice, consistently being there for people. We’ve also helped to build bomb shelters and run camps for children who’ve been in occupied territories or who have lost parents.

I am continuing to invest time in learning about trauma recovery. I’ve completed courses focused on releasing people from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is wonderful to see how God’s Word is just as powerful today to set people free whatever the circumstances.

Many men are turning to alcohol and drugs to medicate their pain, to cope with memories and experiences and numb the constant fear of being on the front line or being called up. There is a growing pastoral need for rehabilitation help.

Hope amid heartbreak

God does not promise that life will be easy but he does promise that he will always be with us, especially when things we can’t bear happen. In times of trouble, he gives us the grace we need to keep going. That is very much our testimony.

None of us would have thought that we would be where we are, or that we would be able to cope as we are. We’re only coping because we press into God and receive his strength. God is our hope. On a very practical and physical level, there isn’t much to give us hope at the moment.

There’s a Bible passage in Ephesians 5:18–20 where Paul is encouraging Christians not to lose hope. He says to speak to each other with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. To sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.

The Psalms have been a tremendous encouragement to us. Psalm 91 assures of God’s protection; Psalm 46 is about God’s defence. Psalm 2 and 13 are so helpful in pouring out our woes. We find strength as we pray and worship. Together we look for the things to give thanks for.

I’m far more grateful for many things that I never even thought about before. I pray when I get in the lift in my building, that the power will stay on so I can get out again. I pray going to church in the evening that the metro will still be running so I can get back home. When I put my washing on, I pray that the power will stay on for it to finish.

It’s recognising the ways that God answers our prayers on a daily basis that enables us to keep doing all that we need to do. He enables us to remain positive, to bring hope, strength and encouragement to other people.

Glimpses of grace

A friend of mine’s son, a Christian, works in a power station. One day he had to call in sick. That day it was bombed. Sadly, his colleagues, and the whole power station, was destroyed.

A Christian soldier, a brother of one of our chaplains, was in the army. One day a series of illegal scatter bombs aimed at his group caused them to fall to the ground. He lay beside a large tree trunk; a bomb fell very close to him but on the other side of the trunk leaving him protected. However, his colleagues who were further away, were injured.

Another time, a pastor and his young family who had decided to stay in their town very near the front line were returning to their home. Many young families have understandably moved away from conflict areas. However, they felt that despite their own danger that God had called them to stay and pastor the growing church.

The father had peace that God would protect them, but the young mother couldn’t find that peace. While driving home they were attacked by a drone. It exploded above them causing a huge cloud of metal, dust and stones to envelop their vehicle. They drove through the cloud unharmed. When it was safe, they checked their car – there was not a scratch on it! After that they were both convinced of God’s hand of supernatural protection on them.

Yet another time, a drone attacked one of our chaplains. It literally landed at the front of their chaplaincy vehicle – which churches from England helped to raise money for. The front lights were damaged but they were completely fine. If the drone had been a second behind it would have hit the car and it’s unlikely they would have survived.

Unknowable future, known God

As the war continues, we’re seeing new problems arise. Soldiers returning from conflict are living with multiple injuries and concussions. We don’t know the long-term emotional and physical consequences of so much stress. There are higher numbers of cancer diagnoses, people with ulcers, digestive problems and suffering heart attacks.

We’re responding to needs as they develop in front of us. Next, I’m helping with a rehab conference in the summer and I expect to be doing a lot more with the chaplaincy ministry. There is a growing need for chaplaincy and veteran care to support soldiers’ physical, emotional and spiritual adjustment back to ‘normal life’.

I think so much of mission is about being where God wants us to be and being available while we’re there. I don’t think it always means doing amazing things, but it means being faithful in your situation. Staying sensitive to God’s heart and trusting his word.

We can look at the huge unanswered prayer of an end to this war and feel discouraged. Or, we can look around us at the many, many answers to prayer and choose to worship God through it all.

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