How to Pray

One very important aspect, if not the most important aspect, of working to bring about justice and end slavery, is to petition the God of Heaven in this area.  "The LORD is far from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29).  And Paul urges us in First Timothy, "that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).  God is "the God who performs miracles..." (Psalm 77:14), and we "know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy" (Psalm 140:12).  He is able to rescue those entrapped in slavery.

But how can we pray?  It is sometimes a struggle to know what to pray for, so we have provided this list to assist you in learning to pray for this issue of slavery:

• Pray for the victims of human trafficking to be rescued, and that they would find hope and peace through Jesus.

• Pray that slaves would be able to escape. Pray that they would understand that they have the right to be free, that they would have the courage to attempt to escape, that they would have the opportunity to escape and that they would be able to get away to a place of safety.

• Pray for protection and rescue of the child soldiers as well.

• Pray for families considering selling their children or sending their children to "good jobs" to be able to see through the deception and to care more for their children than the money they might receive.  Pray that God would provide for them in other ways so they would not need to even consider this possibility.

• Pray for others who are being promised good jobs to have wisdom and discernment and to realize that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, and then to be able to refuse the offer.

• Pray for workers and volunteers who labor to rescue victims of human trafficking.  Pray for courage, perseverance, encouragement, strength, compassion, wisdom, passion...

• Pray for healing and restoration (physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally) of victims who have been rescued.

• Pray for government officials who are simply ignorant to be able to see when a case involves slavery (and not simply illegal immigration) and that they would be able to help the victims rather than compound the problem.

• Pray for corrupt government officials to have a change of heart and refuse bribes and ensure that justice is done (Proverbs 29:4)

• Pray for traffickers to find the risk of continuing with their business too great to continue on with it.  Pray that they would not be so greedy to get money for themselves that they injure others in the process.

• Pray for the people involved all along the process to learn about God and His love for them and to put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

[Photo courtesy of Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department.]