Anti-human trafficking: Guide to a prayer walk

Anti-Human Trafficking Guide to a Prayer Walk

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ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING PRAYER STATIONS

Contained in this booklet are the directives and suggested items needed for an Anti-Human Trafficking Prayer Walk.

STATION 1 - CHAINS OF BONDAGE

DIRECTIVE

The chains of trafficking are heavy and strong.

Action: LIFT THESE CHAINS AND FEEL THEIR WEIGHT. HOLD THEM IN YOUR HANDS OR PLACE THEM ACROSS YOUR SHOULDERS. Few of us can imagine the ongoing brutality that victims of human trafficking face. Many are forced into a lifestyle of systematic abuse, rape and oppression. They endure sexual exploitation and forced labor. The damage this leaves on an individual’s body, soul and spirit are unimaginable.

BUT:

Our God is the Ancient of Days who will one day return to this earth and right every wrong. He will not forget the terrible offenses that have been and are being committed against those who are exploited and abused. He sees the corruption and injustice that allows this horrific crime to flourish. He will take vengeance. While we wait, we are called to be the mediators of God’s justice on the earth.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the one who breaks through. Rend the heavens and come down on behalf of the weak. May all who defile and oppress these victims of human trafficking tremble and shake at Your righteousness; break the chains of the captives and set free the oppressed.

Take a link of chain with you as a reminder that God can break every chain.

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SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR THIS STATION

A small table covered with a black tablecloth. A large, heavy chain laid across the table with the ends hanging down.

Individual broken links of chain. (these can be obtained at a hardware store) STATION 2 - HEALING FOR SURVIVORS

DIRECTIVE

“I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord, “because you are called an outcast, Zion, of whom no one cares.” Jeremiah 30:17

Sexual exploitation has devastating effects on a person’s physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

Activity: On the paper provided, make a list of the kinds of things that a survivor might have to deal with as a result of being subjected to this lifestyle. When you are done, flip the sign over and see how your list compares to the effects that have been shared by actual survivors. Did you realize the extent of damage endured by victims of trafficking?

The good news is that there is hope. There is value in every person. No matter how devalued a person has been, their value in God’s eyes is enormous. God values each and every person so much that He sent His Son Jesus to sacrifice His life for them/us. Jesus’ death and resurrection has made a way for every life to be restored and redeemed.

Prayer: Use the following prayer guide to pray for the healing and restoration of survivors of trafficking:

• Pray that survivors will receive new life through the love of Jesus Christ • Pray for a supernatural restoration of all that was lost

• Pray for healing: emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual • Pray that God would move others to minister His healing 3

grace to survivors

• Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103:1-5 Take a band aid and stick it somewhere visible on your body as a reminder to pray for those who need God’s healing.

(on the back of the sign/giant band aid, list: PTSD, drug and/ or alcohol addiction, STDs and other medical issues, forced abortions, children taken away, malnutrition, lack of dental care - teeth knocked out, unfinished education, a criminal record, no work experience, broken connection with family, inability to know how to handle normal social situations, unwanted tattoos, fear of being alone, jobless, homeless, penniless, lack of life experience, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts) SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR THIS STATION

Small table covered by burlap cloth, an 8 ½ x 11 picture of a band aid with the concerns listed, a box of small bandaids, paper, pens/pencils STATION 3 - OUR RESPONSE

DIRECTIVE

There is a growing response to the trafficking of persons in the world today. Faith based organizations, law enforcement, social service agencies, churches and others are working in many ways to combat this evil.

Look at the brochures from the various agencies in your own state, town, and neighborhood. Is there a way that you could become involved with any of them?

• Take a brochure and commit to praying daily for their work.

Ask God to protect them and give them success.

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• If an agency is in need of specific items, collect and donate those items. (socks, underwear, coats, gloves and hats, toiletry items, snacks, etc.)

• Pray that God would raise up more people and organizations to join the fight

• Pray that these entities would work collaboratively to end this injustice

• Ask God to raise up public officials with integrity and strength who will use their office to change laws and combat trafficking in other meaningful ways.

• Write to your local officials and urge them to initiate or support helpful legislation SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR THIS STATION

Collect brochures from any agencies in your area who are working in this field; display them on a table, along with the sign STATION 4 - THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT

DIRECTIVE

Where is the red light district in your town or city? Are you aware of any strip clubs, bars advertising exotic dancers, adult book stores or any other “adult establishments” in your community? Instead of avoiding that part of town, maybe you will consider doing a “drive by” prayer. Intentionally drive by these places and say a prayer for them.

Pray the words that Isaiah wrote and Jesus claimed, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of 5

beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”

Isaiah 61:1-4 • Pray that the demonic strongholds and resulting bondage over these areas of the city will be broken in Jesus’ name

• Pray that the hearts of the owners will be convicted and they will close their establishments • Pray that the customers/consumers will also feel conviction and stop participating in these activities

• Pray for freedom for all those who are caught up in the commercial sex industry • Ask God to strengthen, protect and empower believers who are serving Him in these areas

Commit to saying a quick prayer every time you pass any adult establishment.

SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR THIS STATION

Small table with a tablecloth, a battered old lamp with a red lightbulb in it, a pair of stilettos and a red slip draped across the table, a map of your town (if you know of any adult establishments, circle their locations in red), cut out ads from the local newspapers or print ads from adult web sites and place or hang them in the area of this prayer station.

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WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING & EXPLOITATION? •• Educate yourself on the issue • Educate your congregation, Sunday School class, women’s group, etc.

o Host a film screening

o Create a lending library of books and resources

o Invite a guest to speak to your group

o Locate and use a prevention curriculum with your youth • Find out what is already being done in your community and ask how you can help

o Donate money or goods (toiletries, clothing, etc.)

o Donate services (medical, legal, dental, counseling, handyman, tattoo removal, etc.)

• Volunteer to mentor a person who is coming out of trafficking • Volunteer at a shelter • Advocate for and support legislation • Write about it (blog, newspaper, etc.)

• Talk about it – help to change attitudes and language • Buy Fair Trade products • Don’t support places that sell pornography • Pray

o For victims and survivors

o For those in the fight against exploitation

o For law enforcement and the judicial system

o For perpetrators

o For men who buy sex Arise, Lord! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. God, You see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror. Psalm 10:12, 14, 17-18 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:6-12 7

Prayer Stations Created by:

lt. Colonel Patricia LaBossiere usa Eastern Territorial Social Justice Consultant 440 West Nyack Rd. West Nyack, NY 10994

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