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.
Around this time each year I like to focus on awareness of sex trafficking based around sporting events. And this weekend, on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas we’ll get to see the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons face off at Super Bowl 51. This is a great time to focus on the upcoming game and how that impacts sex trafficking - both in the Houston, TX area, and in your own neighborhood.
I would like to tell you that the team I'm rooting for will, in fact, crush the other team. However, more important than a U.S. sporting event 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. Around this event, 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?
Because of the incredible numbers of people flocking to the city to watch and celebrate, the Super Bowl is a prime gathering of potential customers – at least according to pimps, madams, and yes – former prostitutes who have spoken out on the issue. And due to its geographical location, Houston, TX is a prime location for this event.
The Number One Trafficking Event?
I’m not telling you that the Super Bowl is the #1 trafficking event of the year. I will tell you that sex-trafficking is a 365-day problem. But, you also need to know that pimps will capitalize on any event that they can that seems like a good place to make money. Pimps move their girls around often. Traveling to an event, even across country, is not a problem as it’s part of the job.
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.
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 Houston – 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 a public spotlight is being shone on sex trafficking, many resources are being allocated to following tips and leads. Call and report suspicious activity. 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, and 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 trafficked victims, as security and awareness are especially heightened at this time.
- Pray for your local law enforcement: Proclaim integrity and wisdom in your local police department. That God would 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.
- Pray for your community: God, open our eyes to sex and labor trafficking in my community and free those enslaved!
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
