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.
Super Bowl and Prayer
Around this time each year I like to focus on awareness of sex trafficking based around sporting events. Since we’ve just now found out who will officially be playing in the Super Bowl (Denver Broncos vs. the Carolina Panthers), it’s a fine time to focus on the upcoming game and how that impacts sex trafficking both in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in your very own neighborhood.
USA Super Bowl, February 7, 2016 - Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
On Sunday, February 7, 2016 two football teams will face off at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA to prove which team is the #1 football team in America. More important than that, is the rise in sex trafficking events, cases, and prosecutions during the Super Bowl. This is not new information for us, as we pray about this each year. Some even question the hype surrounding the Super Bowl and sex trafficking, but the reality is, it is happening. More people are aware that it’s happening, more people are reporting suspicious activity, and more girls are being rescued from sex trafficking as a result.
Why The Super Bowl – Isn’t This Hype?
This year’s game is big. It’s the 50th Super Bowl! Because of the incredible numbers of people flocking to the city to watch and celebrate, it’s a prime gathering of potential customers - at least according to pimps, madams, and yes - former prostitutes who have spoken out on the issue. Santa Clara, CA is also a prime location for this event. Less than one hour from San Francisco, five hours from Los Angeles, and just along Interstate 5, which runs from California to Washington, this city is quick and easy to get to.
You need to know that pimps will capitalize on any event that they can that seems like a safe place to make money. They move their girls around often. Traveling to/for an event is not a problem as it’s just part of the industry.
So a large sports event (anywhere) with a party atmosphere – are those grounds for sex trafficking of minors or adults? Yes.
Does trafficking happen at the Super Bowl? Yes.
Are we right to raise trafficking awareness over large sporting events? Yes.
However, does sex trafficking happen all over the nation, 365 days a year? Yes.
One cry critics echo that must be heard is, that by focusing awareness solely on the Super Bowl, are we forgetting those everywhere else? Are we forgetting trafficked victims on every other day of the year? We must make sure – with our voting power – to allocate resources to police and task forces that support fighting sex trafficking all year long. And we ourselves must continue to raise awareness year round regarding sex AND labor trafficking.
In Your Neighborhood?
I’ve spoken of this before, and I’ll say it again. Trafficking does happen in response to large sporting (and other) events. However, it won’t happen only in Santa Clara – it will happen at bars, college campuses, and home sports parties all around the country. So when we’re talking about trafficking increasing during large sports events, we’re including this too. Prostitutes, under the threat of coercion and deception of pimps, are used for this ‘special celebration’ in cities far and wide.
Call and Pray
The first action step is to make sure you have the U.S. National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number: 888-373-7888. OR see if your country has an international trafficking hotline here. It’s as simple as this – if you see something suspicious, call. Many prostitutes are underage. Use your eyes. Follow your gut. Call. Tips can be left by name, or anonymously. During this time of year when such a public spotlight is being shone on sex trafficking, many resources are being allocated to following tips and leads. Call and report suspicious activity, like the airline attendants did here. and You don’t know what may come of it.
Our next action step is to pray. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16b
As parties and celebrations go on around you, remember that you have been placed in your city, in your community, on purpose, and you have a purpose. Pray for the Super Bowl this year. But also cover your neighborhood, your community in prayer:
- Pray for the plans of the enemy to be thwarted.
- Pray protection over vulnerable girls and boys who could be trafficked.
- Pray for rescue and restoration for trafficking victims, as security and awareness is especially heightened at this time.
- Pray for your local law enforcement: Proclaim integrity and wisdom in your local police department. God, help them to find and rescue trafficked victims. Strengthen them. Protect them and their families from threat and corruption.
- Pray for salvation and repentance for pimps and traffickers.
- Proclaim Genesis 50:20 on behalf of trafficking victims: You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
- Pray for your community: God, open our eyes to sex and labor trafficking in my community and free those enslaved.
- Continue to pray for Rescue Freedom International as they continue to rescue, restore, and empower those caught in slavery.
Standing in the gap with you,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anti-Trafficking Specialist
Aglow International
