care to fight too?

It has been a busy week for me, but I still wanted to share some "fighting words" with you all, in regard to the injustice of Human Trafficking.  Since my time has been used in prayer and research this week, that's what I'd like to give you today...

First: I sent for this video, and since it came in the mail so quickly, I'll probably watch it soon.  It was recommended by a friend - perhaps some education you would appreciate too? Nefarious: Merchant of Souls 

Second: I found this site just yesterday - and it's so inspiring! Women at Risk (WAR) International

I hope you'll take a few moments to check it out. I especially like the dozens of practical ways they offer people like you and me to get involved in the rescue and restoration of women and girls, and also the individual faces and stories they show.  Trust me- it is so much hope (and we all need hope as we look into this diabolical darkness).

And now - for a prayer - because sometimes (always?), the only thing we have left - is all He wants.

Jesus, tonight I pray Psalm 35 for the victims of bondage tonight:

O Lord, would You come down to oppose those who oppose innocent women and children?  Please, Holy Spirit, fight those who fight against these victims who must be in unimaginable terror.

Oh, God of Angel Armies, put on Your armor, and take up Your shield against our enemy, who lies and connives for souls, using the lost and broken to break others.
Prepare for battle, and come quickly to the aid of victims all over the world. 

Lift up Your spear and javelin - these powerful spiritual weapons against evil and against those who pursue the innocent to enslave them.  Let individual girls and women hear You say, “I will give you victory - don't give up hope!  I am on the way to help.”

Jesus, please bring shame and disgrace on those trying to destroy the lives, hearts, bodies, and souls of these who are vulnerable, only because of their gender and their age.  

Lord, this was not what You designed when You created femininity and childhood; turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm these women and children.
 

Blow these oppressors away like chaff in the wind—
    a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
 Make their path dark and slippery, straight into the path of prison that they may find justice, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

These innocent souls have done no wrong, but a trap has been laid for them, nonetheless. They have been scammed, tricked, conned, and snared.  They have been kidnapped and stolen away in the secret darkness of night. 

So let sudden ruin come upon the kidnappers and traffickers!
    Let them be caught in the trap they set for victims!
    Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for Your children. And in that pit, may they also find You and turn back in repentance. 

Then I will rejoice in You, Lord.
    I will be glad because You have rescue me from my own darkness and sin, and You rescue these slaves from their hopeless nightmare. With every bone in my body I will praise You, Spirit:
    “Lord, who can compare with You?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
    Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them? Oh, Lord- You alone can change this horror.  No other force, no other power but You are able to rescue, restore, renew, and revive.  Oh, how we need You, Father! 

Malicious witnesses testify against these victims - lies to protect the guilty.  And this You despise.
    They accuse their own victims of crimes I know nothing about.  Though they have been manipulated and beaten and raped and stolen, they sit in corrupt courts and make the accusations of the very ones they abused.  We cry out "injustice!"They repay evil for good.
We are sick with despair.
 Yet when they were poor and ill, we grieved for them. Their victims have denied themselves by fasting for them,
    but their prayers returned unanswered.

I am sad tonight, Lord, as though these women and children were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. My heart breaks and I cry, tears of sorrow and mourning.

But these traffickers are glad now that their victims are in trouble;
    they gleefully join together against the broken, innocent slaves.
These beautiful girls are attacked by people they don’t even know; strange men rape them every night over and over,
    they slander the innocent and treat them like garbage constantly.
 They mock women and call them names;
    they snarl curses and degrade the ones You call precious.

 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
    Rescue them from their fierce attacks.
    Protect their lives from these vicious lions!

 When You do, Father, we promise to thank you in front of the great assembly, and around the world.
    I will praise You before all the people, even shout Your victory from the mountains.
 Don’t let the treacherous enemies rejoice over our defeat.
    Don’t let those who hate Your children without cause boast and brag over our sorrow.
 

They don’t talk of peace; 

they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.
 They shout, “Aha! Aha!
    With our own eyes we saw him do it!”  

This is absolutely ridiculous!

 O Lord, you know all about this.
    Do not stay silent.
    Do not abandon us now, O Lord, even though we have at times abandoned You.
 Wake up! Rise to the defense of the defenseless!
    Take up their case, our God and our Lord.
 Declare the innocent women and children of this travesty not guilty, O Lord my God, for we trust You alone to give justice.
    Don’t let these enemies laugh about their victims in their troubles.
 Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted!
    Now we will eat him alive!”

Oh, Lord - the thought of them getting away with their lewd and detestable crimes outrages me!

 May those who rejoice at the troubles of innocent children and women
    be humiliated and disgraced.
May those who triumph over them
    be covered with shame and dishonor, that they may turn toward You.
 

But give great joy to those who came to the defense of these modern slaves.  Please prosper the advocates, rescuers, ministers of restoration, and healing organizations with Your glorious riches, Jesus.
    Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord,
    who delights in blessing His servants with peace!”
 Then we promise to proclaim your justice, giving constant testimony,
    and we will praise you all day long.

[Adapted from the NLT version of Psalm 35]

... In Your precious Name, Jesus - Amen