Holistic Prayers for Human Trafficking

I invite you to use this prayer guide as a resource to reflect on human trafficking and intercede on behalf of victims, survivors, perpetrators, and our communities. 

Those who are trafficked and exploited

“I looked again and saw people being mistreated everywhere on earth. They were crying, but no one was there to offer comfort, and those who mistreated them were powerful.”
Ecclesiastes 4:1 (CEV) 

Creator, I am made in your image and I know that when people suffer, it is against your will. 

I pray for all those around the world who are being trafficked and exploited. 

I pray for those who are being harmed through forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, domestic servitude, and the children who are forced to serve as soldiers.

I pray for those being exploited right here in our own communities and neighbourhoods, and the millions around the world. 

I pray for those hidden behind closed doors, and those exposed to many; for those whose exploitation remains a horrible secret, and those who speak up but fail to be heard. 

I hope for their recovery. I long for them to find freedom. I pray that they experience true peace, love, belonging, and safety. 

God of restoration, I pray that you restore lives.

Those who are vulnerable

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:3-4 (NIV) 

El Roi, the God who sees, be with those who are vulnerable to being trafficked. I know that while trafficking affects all demographics of people, there are individuals who are especially targeted by and vulnerable to traffickers. I pray for youth. For Indigenous women and girls. For refugees and migrants. For LGBTQ2S+ individuals. For those who face economic instability. For those who struggle with addictions. For those with histories of hurt and trauma.

Give me and my community the strength and the courage to create places of safety, places that are an extension of your love and grace, so that the needs of those you love are met by caring communities and not those who are only concerned with greed and power.

God of restoration, I pray that you restore lives.

Those who harm

“The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.”
Proverbs 28:5 (NRSVUE) 

O God of justice and mercy, I pray for those who do harm. I pray for those who traffic, who exploit, and who participate in the exploitation of others. 

It can be hard and complicated to pray for those who cause so much hurt and pain. I long for them to recognize the scope and the impact of their actions on themselves, their families and communities, and those they exploit. I long for them to seek reconciliation, to have the desire to take responsibility for their actions and wrongdoings. May they be brought to justice.

I pray for perpetrators who have experienced hurt and harm in their own lives. I pray that they too might experience true pece, love, and belonging.

God, I confess for the ways that I participate in systems of exploitation - knowingly and unknowingly. Open my eyes to systems of exploitation and how I can be a changemaker to address inequality and systemic oppression.

God of restoration, I pray that you restore lives.

Those who are helpers

“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’”
Zechariah 7:9 (NIV) 

God our Helper, there are many around the world and in our own communities who are beacons of hope, light, and justice. I pray for those who are in positions to provide help and aid to those affected by human trafficking and exploitation. I pray for those in grassroots organizations, social services, health care, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. I pray for teachers, for parents, for friends. 

Cast away judgment, preconceived notions, biases, and misconceptions. Give me the ability to learn and to listen. Inspire your people, O God, to radiate your love and care. 

God of restoration, I pray that you restore lives.

Those who are Survivors

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19 (NRSVUE)

I pray for those who have escaped trafficking and exploitation. I pray for each unique person and their unique experiences. Continue to be with them on their journey of healing from trauma.

God of restoration, thank you for the ways that you restore lives. 

“‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’”
John 13:34-35 (NRSVUE)

May I love you, God, as you love me. May I love others as you love others. 

Amen.