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?
Isaiah 58:6
Prayer breaks chains and gives favor that is supernatural. It enables rescue and puts people in the right place at the right time.
How are you this month? I hope you are doing well and that your summer has been good. This month we’re continuing our series of “Know – Pray – Act” by focusing on treatment and aftercare. But first – you need to know that the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report has been released. You can view the report here.
This report, released by the U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, grades countries around the world on a tier system, according to their practices regarding human trafficking. To see an overview of the current standings of each nation, see page 54 for a list, or pages 55-60 for a breakdown by map/region.
To view your own country and read a 1-2 page summary of how trafficking is being combatted in your nation, as well as an explanation for its tier standing, click on “Country Narratives” and the first letter of your Nation under the 2015 TIP Report main page here.
As you look over the 2015 Trafficking In Persons report, focus your mind on prayer. What can you do with this information? Who can you tell, that might be surprised to know that trafficking takes place in a country they’ve visited – or in their own country?
Know – Pray – Act: Aftercare
Know
Aftercare is an important part of every trafficked victim’s recovery. It’s easy to think that the journey is easier after being rescued from labor or sex trafficking. However, rescue is only the first step in rebuilding a life. In certain parts of the world up to 80% of victims are re-trafficked because of factors like shame, lack of education, and financial hardship. But through prayer divine intervention can help keep former victims free.
Pray
- God, help trafficked victims in my community who have been rescued. Strengthen them with your mighty power and love.
- God, bring healing and wholeness to former victims. Heal them from PTSD. Strengthen them and deliver them from fear and the lies of the enemy. Place strong believers in their life who will show them Your love.
- Use me, God. I want to help those trafficked in my community the way You have authorized me. Show me safe houses to partner with in any way that You would use me.
- Direct me, Jesus. If there are no safe houses near me, show me how can I be involved in treatment and aftercare. Or would you have me become involved in a homeless shelter or other place of need?
- God bless those that Rescue Freedom works with. Let your presence be felt in their homes. Pour out your freedom, mercy and bondage breaking anointing on all they come in contact with.
- God bless Rescue Freedom as they seek out permanent land for their safe houses. Give them favor as You provide for their needs.
Act
Here are some suggestions for becoming involved in treatment and aftercare in your community:
- Start by looking up aftercare organizations in your area. There are many safe houses that are being developed in suburban areas, making their presence known in their communities while keeping their specific location guarded. Look up volunteer opportunities within these organizations.
- Love is the key for both victims and traffickers. While praying about trafficking in your community, pray for the whole healing of the trafficked, remember the trafficker who also needs help, healing and wholeness. Pray that they are brought from darkness into light.
- In your community or church, be a pillar of support and of love. If a teen from your church or community has returned after involvement with trafficking, be committed to being a loving, nonjudgmental adult in that community. People who have not been trafficked don’t understand the experiences or variables of one who has been trafficked. Words can be overrated. Love in action is not.
- If you receive the opportunity to volunteer as a driver, mentor, or in other ways in a safe house, relinquish conditions or expectations of the victims with whom you work, .i.e., making a demand that they attend church in order to receive help or (essentially) love. If you get to work with trafficked victims, your most powerful witness will be loving them where they’re at, as they are.
- Lastly, here is a project for the whole family! Prepare “Care Packages” for safe houses. These packages can contain travel size soap, toothpaste, other toiletries, feminine products, a snack, and a card. These care packages, packed in gallon-size zip lock baggies, can be given to local safe houses, battered woman shelters, or homeless shelters.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Anti-Trafficking Specialist
Aglow International
