Slavery still happens. Around the world—and even in Canada—women and children are coerced, manipulated, forced, bought and sold into the sex trade. Sexual trafficking is an international multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise that affects millions of people. As Christians, and especially as Salvationists, we can't ignore that sexual trafficking is happening. While people's bodies are being rented out for sexual exploitation, we must fight for justice and pray for redemption.

In 2006, the Canada and Bermuda Territory initiated a Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Sexual Trafficking that is now commemorated throughout The Salvation Army world on the last weekend of each September.

There are many ways to pray during the Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Sexual Trafficking:

• Host a prayer time during the Sunday morning meeting or focus the entire Sunday service around the theme of sexual trafficking. Last year in Charlottetown, P.E.I., each member of the congregation was given a prayer guide and committed to pray.

• Dedicate a prayer meeting or Bible study to focus on victims of sexual trafficking. At Montreal Citadel, everyone at the corps was handed a commitment card that challenged them to respond to sexual trafficking in a variety of ways.

• Go on a prayer walk in your neighbourhood. The Ontario Great Lakes Division hosted a prayer walk where Salvationists and friends met at key points in London, Ont., to intercede for victims of sexual trafficking by praying and lighting candles.

• Host an all-night of prayer or an all-day of prayer. Metrotown Citadel, Burnaby, B.C., held a 24-hour prayer vigil during the weekend.

• Teach youth about sexual trafficking. Last fall, several youth councils used human trafficking as a prayer theme. At Beaver Creek Camp, Prairie Division, the youth councils was entitled FREE and a freedom walk enabled youth to learn about victims of sexual trafficking.

• Host a workshop to teach others about trafficking. In Toronto, the Army planned a workshop about sexual trafficking where a victim shared her story.

• Pray for victims of sexual trafficking in your staff meeting. At Lakeview Manor, Riverview, N.B., two members of correctional and justice services shared what the Army is doing both divisionally and territorially to fight trafficking.

• Host a men's prayer breakfast with discussion and prayer. At West End Community Church, Somerset, Bermuda, men gathered on a Saturday morning for breakfast and teaching on sexual trafficking, declaring themselves to be “men of honour.”

• Invite other churches, organizations and individuals to join The Salvation Army in prayer. The corps in Williams Lake, B.C., sent weekend of prayer posters to the mayor and other churches, and posted them all over town to invite people to join in prayer. In Prince Rupert, B.C., the Army hosted an interdenominational women's day based around sexual trafficking.

On September 24-26, the General has asked that all Salvationists pray for the victims of sexual trafficking in Canada, Bermuda and around the world. Pray for women and children who are vulnerable to trafficking because of exploitation and abuse, poverty and addictions. Pray for victims who have already been trafficked and are living in fear and violence—that they will be free in every sense of the word. Pray for repentance and justice for the traffickers. Pray that governments and agencies will work to abolish human trafficking.

Resources and materials are available in several languages at www.salvationist.ca/trafficking. Hang the posters, distribute the prayer guides and read the fact sheets. Support freedom for the captives. Lord, deliver us from evil!

---

Last year our territory focused on the expected increase of trafficking in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics by posting billboard and transit ads denouncing trafficking. Partner churches worked together to ensure that prayer was happening 24 hours a day. Deborah's Gate, a safe house for trafficked victims, was opened early this year by the Army. During the Games, The Salvation Army also showed anti-trafficking television commercials and 8,000 anti-human trafficking postcards were handed out to tourists, athletes, police officers and volunteers.