In Amos 2:6-7 The Lord says… I will not turn back my wrath.  They sell righteous for silver… they trample the head of the poor… and deny justice to the oppressed.  Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name…

Proverbs 31:8-9   Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; the rights of all who are destitute.

The Red Cord’s mission is to inspire the pursuit of human dignity for all caught in the web of sexual and labor exploitation and slavery. Our focus this month is on women and girls.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have fought for the dignity and equal rights of women, and who have shed light on the many hidden abuses they have suffered throughout history.  

The Declaration of Independence declares: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” ‘Men’ which means ‘mankind’ includes women.  From the suffrage movement in giving women the right to vote to the controversial ‘Me Too’ movement, giving voice to women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted, women have courageously risen up and said ‘No More’. 

It can no more be true for the women survivors of human trafficking, and all other forms of sexual and labor exploitation.

Oklahoma statistically is one of the highest in number in domestic violence/abuse.  In many of these cases, women are trafficked in both sex and labor.

Will you be a voice in prayer for the women and girls of Oklahoma and for our nation?  These are our daughters, our sisters, our mothers.    Some have died at the hands of their abusers and traffickers.   We must intercede for those who are still in bondage and surviving best they can.  Let us together lift our collective voices and pray for the protection of those who are still in captivity.  Pray for their safety and for strength to endure until they are set free.  Pray that God would make a way where there seems to be no way.

Pray for the legal system. Although penalties for traffickers have increased, there is still a long way to go to ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest.  Pray also for the victims/survivors that face wrongful incarceration for prostitution, that there would be just policies that would protect them.

Pray for the many survivors that are healing physically and emotionally, to be set free completely of the fear and trauma from their past abuse.  Pray they would be empowered to live life to the fullest.

Pray for the women and girls in our community, that they would be educated and empowered to protect themselves from becoming a target for exploitation and slavery.

God says ,  “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert….For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;  It is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’

Thank you,                                                                                                                                                         

Helen