Back in 2007 when preparing to share on the bicentenary celebrations of the ending of the slave trade I was gripped by the injustice that still exists in our world. Whilst we were celebrating the end of a great evil in our world there were more men, women and children being sold into slavery across our world than ever before. My heart began to break and the need to pray for the ending of this injustice began to impact on some of our times of intercession.

In 2009 whilst at The Call international gathering of leaders at IHOP-KC we heard about the work of Exodus Cry and began to realise that God was raising up a company of praying abolitionists to bring an end to the injustice of human trafficking and the entrapment of women and children into a life of prostitution. I began to feel God calling us to take up this focus at NFHOP. In 2010 a lady joined our house of prayer who had firsthand experience of these issues and this was the “word from the Lord” that we should start a Justice Prayer watch. Since January 2011 we have prayed into this issue every Monday morning and have seen God expose crime rings and trafficking rings in our area and nation.

Partner with God for justice

This issue is on God’s heart and He is looking for those who will partner with Him to bring justice for these vulnerable and abused individuals. Our link with Exodus Cry informs us in our prayer as do links with organisations in this country such as Beyond the Streets. We believe that our greatest and most effective weapon in combating modern day slavery is prayer. It keeps us connected to God’s burden for the issue and directs us towards action.

God has specifically spoken to us about the threat of an increase in trafficking and prostitution in the nation in 2012 with the Olympics. We believe God has alerted us to this so we can pray and prevent this scheme of the enemy to spread darkness in our land. To help people engage with this Beyond the Streets have produced an excellent prayer guide called Gathering Voices available from Journey of Prayer which we would encourage prayer groups, churches and individuals to adopt. You can also download a copy of Gathering voices here.

We have also become aware that many people are completely unaware of the scale and impact of this issue across the world including our own nation and we are therefore working with Exodus Cry to arrange a tour around the country of the film Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. If you would like to arrange a viewing in your city or town please contact us. For further information about the film visit the website or download the information document here. We would also be happy to come to your group or church and raise awareness.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound” Isaiah 61:1

Once we have opened our hearts to modern sex slavery there is only one response: take action. As long as one person remains in slavery we are committed to fight it. We refuse to turn a blind eye to this injustice and will not allow it to continue on our watch. Exodus Cry has identified 10 key ways to take action against modern-day slavery which we pray will help you join with us in bringing an end to this injustice.

1. Pray – "Thy Kingdom Come”. God has ordained His kingdom to operate in conjunction with human participation. He will avenge our cries and bring speedy justice when we cry out day and night for these women and children. Join us at our prayer watch on Monday mornings from 11am – 1pm (more information here)
2. Compassion – Open your heart to the plight of the oppressed and allow ourselves to be moved by the things that move the heart of God
3. Stand in Purity – Lust fuels slavery. Abolition begins with a commitment to personal purity; otherwise we will find ourselves in partnership with the very spirit that keeps the sex trade booming. Make a purity covenant
4. Spread the word – Become informed. Tell others in your sphere of influence about the realities of modern day slavery.
5. Volunteer - Be a servant. Offer your time, talents and passions to organisations in your community who serve victims of trafficking and prostitution
6. Watch – Slavery thrives in shadows. Ask the Lord to shed light on the underworld of trafficking and give you eyes to see. You can play a vital role in keeping watch in your community.
7. Reach – Touch one life. Women and children are being sexually exploited in just about every town and city on the earth. If you look for them you will find them. Whether it’s a women being sold on the street or dancing in a strip club get to know them, love them through their struggles and believe with them for full restoration that comes through Christ.
8. Speak Up – Be a voice for the voiceless. Let your voice be heard by contacting local politicians and community leaders about your concern for those victimised in the commercial sex trade. Petition them to implement the Swedish model of combating trafficking and prostitution – download a copy here.
9. Adopt a Child – Who will father the fatherless? 90% of women in domestic prostitution were at one point in the foster care system. Trafficking is an exploitation of vulnerability. Adopting a child who is lost in the foster care system can prevent another young life from slipping into tentacles of forced prostitution and human trafficking.
10. Invest – Sow into freedom. Join the abolitionists by giving financially to ministries who partner with the heart of Jesus to bring liberty to the captives and healing the broken.