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Weekend of Prayer


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If You Suspect | Around the World | Resources

WHAT IS IT?

Vision
For Christians around the world to pray sincerely, compassionately and intelligently for all those affected by human trafficking:
• people who are trafficked
• people who are vulnerable to human traffickers
• people who work against human trafficking
• human traffickers themselves

Hope
That this form of the slave trade will be abolished, that all people affected by human trafficking will find restoration, and that people who have been trafficked will be cared for in body, mind and spirit.
Human beings who are trafficked are robbed of their identity as people Christ called to live abundant lives (John 10:10). When we are treated as less than human, with no rights, abilities, or feelings, we easily lose sight of our worth. People who are trafficked have their human dignity demeaned. They may not even know they have dignity. But people who are trafficked are not only trafficked workers. Like us, they are Christ’s sisters and brothers.

For those who have forgotten their dignity, for those who have never had it affirmed, it is important that we stand as witnesses to their dignity.

History
The Weekend of Prayer was an initiative of the Canada & Bermuda Territory in 2006, and has since become an internationally recognized call to prayer from the General of The Salvation Army. At the end of September, Salvation Army congregations all around the world commit to praying specifically for those affected by human trafficking.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
• Mark your calendar.
• Use the materials provided (see downloads below).
• Partner locally.
• Educate yourself and others.
• Pray specifically about this issue.

IDEAS FOR COMMEMORATING THE WEEKEND

FRIDAY
Organize a prayer service about human trafficking in the workplace. Have information available for people who want to know more about human trafficking.

Host an evening prayer and meditation event: Gather with other corps and churches and pray. You may wish to begin with discussion about the issue, set up prayer stations, and then dedicate some time for individual quiet meditation and/or prayer in small groups. Some churches may wish to host a prayer walk, praying in small groups at key locations in the community or neighbourhood. A word of caution: if you choose to go on a prayer walk, please be sensitive to those you are praying for. Many people who have been trafficked, and especially those who have been sexually trafficked, may presume they are being judged. Be non-confrontational and discreet. The leaders of prayer walks will be people who are known and have already built relationships in those neighbourhoods.

SATURDAY
Gather for a “Men of Honour” prayer breakfast. Men are often viewed as the bad guys in the story of human sex trafficking. Be the good guys! Organize men from your church, corps and community to be men of honour. Have them come together, stand with those who are exploited and pray for an end to this evil trade. As you break bread together, a leader may share information on human trafficking. Alternatively, if the Weekend of Prayer falls on a Men’s Camp weekend, dedicate part of the camp program to the issue of human trafficking.

Host an afternoon community awareness event. Partner with other corps, churches and community groups. This could take a number of forms:
• In a park, community centre, etc., display a booth with information about human trafficking. Let people know about this issue and encourage people to pray. Consider displaying a prayer wall made of paper where people can use markers or paints or pens to write prayers about this issue.
• Facilitate a letter writing campaign to MPs and other representatives. Encourage participants to express a desire for Canada to implement an effective strategy against human trafficking and to dedicate more resources to fight against the issue (police surveillance, social supports, etc.). Make sure you have the address of your representative on hand and provide a sample letter.
• Screen a film that depicts human trafficking (see Resource List below) and dedicate time after for discussion.

SUNDAY
Facilitate Sunday worship prayer for human trafficking. Take time during your Sunday worship to pray for those affected by human trafficking. Briefly share some information or show a video or Power Point presentation (below). Consider using human trafficking or human dignity as a theme for the whole service (see below for resources).

Get youth involved in Traffic Jam. Many trafficked workers are young people. Let’s encourage awareness among the youth in our corps and churches. Traffic Jam is one way that teens and adults can participate in the Weekend of Prayer for Human Trafficking. Jam the net, jam the government, jam your school, jam your town, jam your youth group! Thousands of youth around the world are going to jam the traffic. Get involved. Click here for details.

RESOURCES
Please make use of the following downloadable resources:

Click here for additional French resources.

For more ways to help stop human sex trafficking, click here.
For more resources, click here.

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