[Please join me in praying for children, families, and the future on Thursdays this year.]
“Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.” (Psalm 37:27-29 NIV)
I didn’t read all of the article.*
The topic was too raw, I was too tired, it was too hard to read it. The first paragraph was enough.
“Every 26 seconds, a child is trafficked globally. An unapologetic documentary available on EpochTV Cinema uncovers the horrors of sex trafficking in the Iraq region and the devastating effects of poor foreign policy and terrorism worldwide. Through raw and intimate interviews, “26 Seconds–ISIS Sex Slaves,” by Kelly Galindo, gives viewers a vivid glimpse into the lives of children and women who were captured and sold into the sex slave trade. It reveals the horrors of their captivity, along with the efforts of individuals and non-profit organizations who are committed to eradicating global sex trafficking.”
After numerous paragraphs, it closed with these words:
“The documentary ends with a haunting reminder that 24.9 million victims per year are trafficked globally, with 115 children being sex trafficked during the duration of the film. It offers an eye-opening view of the actual impact terrorism and poor foreign policy decisions have on innocent people worldwide.
“The film also highlights the bravery and compassion of those committed to rescuing victims, as well as providing additional resources with tangible ways to get involved in the fight against human trafficking.” *
In between were details I only glanced at because I do not have the capacity to understand the depth of wickedness and depravity of people who would commit such heinous acts on other adults, much less children.
So, we pray….
God,
In your mercy hear our prayers. In your mercy and justice, pour out rescue and healing on those trapped in terrorism, human trafficking, and sexual slavery. In your mercy and justice, defeat the wicked roots of these terrible tragedies. In your mercy and justice, open hearts and minds of policy makers to hear your Way, your Truth, and your Wisdom for the decisions they make. In your mercy and justice, break the power of the wicked. In your mercy and justice, uphold, guard, guide, and protect righteous, the innocent, and the enslaved. We ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.” (Psalm 37:10-17 NIV)