3rd February 2026

A rape trial has begun for Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's crown princess, who was arrested by police over a violent episode at a woman's flat's in Oslo.  Several high profile names, from a number of countries, have been associated with the convicted paedophile Jeffery Epstein, as further documentation was released this week.  A man was arrested for the rape and sexual abuse of a child in Taylorsville, Utah, USA, on Thursday.  We also learned last week that in the UK more than 500 people have contacted a police investigation into sexual abuse that allegedly took place during armed services medical examinations over almost 50 years. Yesterday in Pakistan over 600 child abuse videos recovered as major exploitation network was dismantled by police and justice authorities. This week,  Austro-Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach is facing a sexual assault trial in Toronto, Canada. On January 26. Gonoi Rina, a former member of Japan’s Self Defence Force, reached a settlement with the government and a fifth perpetrator, on a sexual violence case within the Ground Self-Defence Force unit she belonged to having previously reached settlements with four other abusers 

Loving God, we ask your comfort and care for all victims of sexual abuse, may they experience healing from shame, isolation, anger, and despair.  May they be listened to with compassion, treated with respect and dignity, and supported through their journey for justice and restored to wholeness. For those who counsel survivors give them wisdom and compassion. that they may be instruments of healing for those they walk alongside. For the perpetrators of abuse, we pray they will experience sincere remorse for their actions and be prepared to make reparation for the damage they have caused.  Guide authorities across the world to protect women, children and all vulnerable to sexual abuse.  Help us to teach our children to recognise that each person is a person of your creation into whom you have breathed the breath of life. Help us grasp, and live by Christ's teaching, that what we to to and for others we do to and for him. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.  Amen.

Last weekend a mother and her three children were on  holiday in Quindalup, 200km south of Perth, Australia.  They were enjoying the ocean with their inflatable paddleboards and kayak.  Then strong winds developed and blew them off shore putting them in great danger. The mother's 13 year old boy attempted to kayak back to shore to get help, but it took on water, forcing him to swim 4km.  He used every swimming stroke he had, backstroke, freestyle, and breaststroke.  He swam the first two hours with his lifejacket on, before taking it off and swimming another two hours without it. Amazingly, he reached the shore.  Recalling the swim he said, “I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed, and then after that I had to sprint 2km to go get to the phone.” A helecopter and volunteer marine rescue vessel was directed to their location and all three were successfully rescued. Police inspector James Bradley thanked those involved.  He said it was a reminder that ocean conditions can change rapidly.  “Thankfully, all three people were wearing lifejackets, which contributed to their survival,” he said.  “The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough; his determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings.”

Alleluia praise the Lord!

We praise you from the top of the highest mountain

and from the depths of the deepest valley.

You are our heavenly King,

creator of the universe and all that is in it.

We glorify you for you are the giver of life.

We honour you for you reign supreme above all.

We thank you for your love for us

and that you provide for our life on earth

and for when our earthly life is over.

We thank you for the joy of friendship

and fulfilment in achievements of mind and hand.

We praise you in the morning.

We praise you at the time of the mid-day sun,

and we praise you as it sets and the shadows lengthen.

All praise and honour and glory and power

be to you our heavenly Father.

Alleluia praise the Lord!