by Edna Ellison

Dear God,

You say in your Word, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy” (Psalm 82:3–4, NIV1984). Help us to do that.

We plead for those who are enslaved today, especially as domestic or sexual slaves. Because you love them, give them grace and peace and healing, O Almighty Lord. Open opportunities for us to help them. Show us ways we can make others aware of this terrible situation in our nation and world.

We pray that law enforcement will see situations as they are, to bring justice to those who are responsible. We pray for legislation that will enable this illegal trafficking and slavery to stop. We pray for courage in ordinary citizens who care, and who can and will liberate those held captive and exploited by others. God have mercy on us and those who are hurting. Show us how we can help.

Amen.

Author’s note: I wrote this for my church because we are exploding with women who want to help enslaved women. Thousands of slaves go through our town monthly! Some go through in large paneled trucks, which stop at the junction of I-85 and I-26 and swap cabs on the 18-wheelers. The women, who sleep in the backs of these trucks in the daytime, are picked up by a different cab and hauled to the next place for them to service 40 or so “johns” the next night.

I begged God not to make me get involved in this, because I am sickened by their pain and suffering. But, once I made my fellow churchwomen aware of the slaves’ presence, these godly women got excited about liberating them! They are calling police often, when they see any sign of prostitution or child abuse! Hallelujah! They are moving out! Our “awareness” phase is now breaking into an action phase!

Edna Ellison, Phd,  lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A popular author and speaker, Edna has addressed women in almost every state in the US and has led women’s conferences across Europe and South and Middle America. Books she has authored or coauthored include, among others, Woman to Woman, Stronger Still, Women of the Covenant, and Chosen and Cherished.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.