Stand up for justice prayer

STAND UP FOR JUSTICE. PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

by Major Joel Alojepan (The Philippines Territory)

Almighty God, Creator of the whole earth and God of The Salvation Army: we seek your grace and plead your continuing help for our brothers and sisters around the world who are victims of human trafficking.

Loving God, you see people who are captive to many different kinds of human trafficking. People who have been deceived and abused – physically, mentally and emotionally – after being sold by traffickers; people who are denied even the most basic necessities and are treated as less than human. Have mercy on them, Lord.

Help people who are like Naboth; people who live simply and peacefully yet experience hardship and even the real threat of death because someone abuses the power they have over them. Comfort and protect their families and be gracious to them we pray.

Send an advocate – even me, Lord – to provide moral, social and spiritual support.

Lord, our communities include people with wicked intentions. You see their malicious deeds and hear the unchallenged slander they speak. They have wronged people and sin against you, Lord.

Let there be someone like Elijah in our communities. Someone inspired by you to proclaim words of truth; the Word of God that brings justice for every victim. Use someone bold and committed to stand up to wrongdoers, the corrupt and those who abuse others, particularly through the evil of human trafficking.

We pray that you will equip Salvation Army justice teams to become spiritually strong, mentally fit and righteously effective in your name. May they be a shining light, burning with a passion for humanity that flows through your Army and out into our communities.

Lord, as you did with Ahab, we want to see people being held accountable for their actions. May there be repentance with humility and happy transformations within our communities. As we stand up for justice and trust in you, may we be encouraged when we see change happening.

We entrust the heavy load of injustice to you in the knowledge that you can intercede, as we offer ourselves as agents of change to bravely challenge wrong and advocate for justice on behalf of others.

We ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.