Modern Slavery
Peoria Prayer Center
News Edition – Modern Slavery
How do you feel when trapped? I had a memorable experience when
I got stuck in a laundry shoot when I was a kid. Sliding down from the second
floor into the basement, my shoot sliding skills were not developed yet and my
leg exited the first floor door as I went by. My body didn’t want to continue
down the shoot without my leg so it stopped, wedging me in between the first
floor and basement. Every fiber of my being felt trapped.
I want share with you a prolonged news story from the Christian
Science Monitor about modern slavery and human trafficking. My goal is
sharing these news stories is to encourage prayer for those in need – those enslaved.
My goal is NOT to lay another burden on the people of prayer. I’m not
interested in seeing how many hours of prayer I can get God’s people to
perform. I want to provide a real story of struggle in our world and allow the
Holy Spirit to lead our hearts and actions. So in the form of disclosure, here
is my agenda.
1. Share information that I feel is worthy or important for our world
2. Ask people of prayer to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them
3. Provide some prayer helps related to the story
4. Obey what God is saying to my life and ask others to do the same
5. Live life well, knowing that I can’t do everything, but I can do some things.
The story I link to involves the Biblical issues of
Justice
Freedom
Kindness
Captivity
Hospitality
(with the biblical definition of being friendly to foreigners and not so much
about having people over for a meal)
First Story Here
Questions to help you discuss this story in a small group.
1. How do you feel when trapped?
2. What emotions arise within you, when you suffer from injustice?
3. Has a stranger ever helped you out when you were in a situation needing assistance? How did you feel when the stranger first approached you?
4. Do you have any fears that arise when you consider getting involved in the lives of strangers?
Scriptures for prayer and meditation
Eph 2:11-12 Therefore remember that formerly you, the
Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the
so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human
hands-- (12) remember that you were at that time separate
from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the
covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren;
only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through
love serve one another.
1Pe 2:15-17 For such is the will of God that by doing
right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. (16)
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but
use it as bondslaves of God. (17) Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear
God, honor the king.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has
sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And
freedom to prisoners;
Psa 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their
wounds.
Mat 5:3-16 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4) "Blessed are those who
mourn, for they shall be comforted.
(5) "Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.
(6) "Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (7)
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (8)
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (9)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God. (10) "Blessed are those who have been
persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when people insult you
and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of
Me. (12)
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in
the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (13)
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become
tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. (14)
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden; (15) nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under
a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the
house. (16) "Let your light shine before men in such
a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in
heaven.
Craft a Prayer.
Reflecting on the Scriptures above and upon the story, write
out a prayer for those involved in modern slavery. The Holy Spirit may have you
pray for the captors and those in captivity, reporters or those unaware of the peril
of others. Your prayer can be one line of many.
Share your prayer for a friend and pray it together.
Live you’re Prayers
As you read the story, can you think of some actions you can
take to stand against modern day slavery?
When you are buying cheap clothing, what might you do or
pray in that moment?
When you meet foreigners, what thoughts might to bring to
mind that would reflect the Biblical call for justice, kindness, freedom and
hospitality?
Do you have any neighbors who you can meet and develop a
friendship with? Any people who work in places you frequent?
Video from the Christian Science Monitor sit
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