25th January 2026

The US administration murdered another American citizen on the streets of Minneapolis yesterday, the second this month. Thirty seven year old Alex Pretti was standing calmly filming the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents when he was approached, pushed and then wrestled to the ground by several officers.  Video footage shows that whilst on the ground surrounded by ICE agents he was shot by them multiple times. Two witnesses to the killing of Alex Pretti have said in sworn testimony that the 37-year-old intensive care nurse was not brandishing a weapon when he approached federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, contradicting a claim made by Trump administration officials as they sought to cast the shooting of a prone man as an act of self-defence.  California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a member of the Democratic Party, called for Kristi Noem to step down from her role as Homeland Security secretary. Republican senator Bill Cassidy called events in Minneapolis "incredibly disturbing", adding that the "credibility" of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the US Department of Homeland Security are "at stake". Following the murder, thousands of protesters gathered in cities including Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, shouting slogans including: “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE!” 

Loving God, we ask your comfort, care, compassion and love for the family, friends and neighbours of Alex Pretti. We pray for the Holy Spirit to be with ICE agents that they will conduct themselves with humanity and treat all with respect and dignity as fellow human beings made in your image. May compassion be the law written on every heart, and truth the badge on every shirt. Grant wisdom to those who lead, that they may govern with steady hands, loving hearts, and open eyes.  May truth, integrity, humility and humanity guide their thinking and actions.  May no one be above the law, the vulnerable and weak protected.  Move among the people of this great nation helping them to build bridges that bring people together, uniting them in love, and dispelling fear with trust. May justice roll like a mighty river.  May the nation be made great by it's compassion, kindness, and generosity. May the nation be made great by its welcome and acceptance of all.  May the nation be made great through recognising your fingerprint on every person, and that you have breathed the breath of life into every soul. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

WaterAid Nigeria has trained 30 Volunteer Hygiene promoters for Maya Aladiye and Maya Olorijo communities in Lagos State.  The training is aimed at promoting hygiene behavioural change, as well as preventing disease outbreaks. The three-day training, which ran from Wednesday, January 21 to Friday, January 23, 2026, also focused on hand-washing, safe water, environmental cleanliness and ending open defecation within the community.  15 volunteers were trained at Maya Olorijo, to cascade hygiene messages to households and community members.  A further 15 volunteers were trained on hygiene practices, including hand-washing, clean toilets, menstrual hygiene and safe drinking water. The initiative will improve hygiene practices and protect public health in the community. 

A prayer based on Psalms 9 & 10

I praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

I sing of all the wonderful things you have done.

I sing with joy because of you.

I sing praise to you, Almighty God.

You are the Lord, forever King.

You set up your throne for judgment.

You rule the world with righteousness;

You judge the nations with justice.

You take notice of trouble and suffering,

and are always ready to help the needy.

You hear the cries of the oppressed

and the orphans;

You judge in their favour,

so that mortal men may cause terror no more.

You are King for ever;

I praise you, Lord, with all my heart.

Amen.