The Red Cord Prayer Focus for April 2021

April greetings everyone!

With winter behind us, we look forward to all things ‘new life’, beholding the beauty as we look around us at nature.

God also calls us to ‘new life’ through Christ. We are eternally grateful for redemption found in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, and that the gift of ‘new life’ is for everyone that believes and accepts this miraculous truth. God’s heart is to rescue, redeem, and heal every broken heart. His heart is to deliver from all from the depravity of sin and evil.

Let’s ask God how we are to pray when it comes to human trafficking – from the victim, to the buyer, to the trafficker, to the porn addicted, and to the porn producers. Then there are the survivors, the advocates fighting for victims everyday – from those bringing awareness and education to communities, to the rescuers, to law enforcement, to those providing aftercare, to the legal advocates, and the law makers. We need your prayers.

The following is a 30 day prayer guide we would like to share with you, provided by Shared Hope International that can help guide you as you pray.

TOGETHER ON BENDED KNEE
The following 30 Days of Prayer and devotion are available for you to utilize at your own pace.
Day 1
Prayer For Wisdom
Day 2
Educate Ourselves And Others
Day 3
Finding Justice, Humility, And Mercy
Day 4
Challenge To Men To Engage
Day 5
Protection And Safety For DMST Victims And Those Who Intervene
Day 6
Ask God What You Can Do To Make A Difference
Day 7
Protecting Vulnerable Children And Youth From Traffickers
Day 8
To Reach Out To Survivors
Day 9
Those Who Provide Direct Service
Day 10
Wisdom For Lawmakers
Day 11
Professionals Who Directly Serve Survivors
Day 12
Healing For Survivors
Day 13
Traffickers And Buyers, To See What They Are Doing
Day 14
To Not Only Hear, But To Know How To Take Action
Day 15
Survivors Finding Inner Strength To Recover
Day 16
Justice For Perpetrators
Day 17
Restoration For Survivors
Day 18
Pornography And Its Enticements
Day 19
Removing Labels And Shame From Victims
Day 20
To Continue To Fight Against The Sexual Pervesion In Our Culture
Day 21
To Never Give Up In The FIght Against Child Sex Trafficking
Day 22
Turning Evil Against Exploited Victims Into Something Good And Restorative
Day 23
For Peace And Patience For Victims In Their Process Of Healing And Restoration
Day 24
Prevention Of Trafficking Through Education And Protection For Those Most Vulnerable
Day 25
God Hears Our Cries
Day 26
Healthy Recovery In Relationships For Survivors
Day 27
Peace For All Who Support Survivors To Help Them Find Peace
Day 28
Pray For International Survivors
Day 29
Access To Care For Survivors And Support For Shelter Providers
Day 30
Current Legislative Session

Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.

Thank you for praying with us. God bless you!
Helen

The Red Cord Prayer Focus for February 2021

Thank you to all who have prayed for our 4^th Annual Freedom Gala held on January 30^th. It was indeed a success and we are grateful for your partnership to help inspire hope through your prayers, speaking God’s light, love, and deliverance into the dark world of human trafficking. As a survivor focused event, we were blessed to hear survivors bravely share their incredible testimonies!

I’d like to share the following prayer focus by ‘Shared Hope International’ –

Healing For Survivors

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creating, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

It is freeing to know that nothing we do can make God love us any less, or any more! That can be difficult to accept when we feel ashamed or worthless, but it is true. Because of the stigmatization of prostitution, sex trafficking survivors often struggle with shame and feelings of worthlessness. Traffickers view them as a paycheck, buyers view them as an object for sexual gratification, society views them as a criminal, but God views them as worthy of His unchanging and unfailing love.

Prayer Focus

Survivors of trafficking to know that they are loved by the Lord.
Christian mentors for survivors to encourage and support their release and healing.

Here is a prayer you might pray:

Lord God, even for survivors who know who You are, there is the pervasive feeling of guilt and shame that overwhelms the knowledge that You are a God who loves and forgives. Such guilt and shame obscures the knowledge that nothing can separate anyone from Your love. If it is that hard for those who know you, how much worse for those who don’t know You yet! I pray that they meet You and learn how much You love them.

Lastly, with February as Black History Month, I’d like to highlight a share from one of our volunteers, Laura, who quotes a well know African American abolitionist in the 1800s –

“No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck”

– Frederick Douglass, American Abolitionist and so much more.

We know it is only a matter of time before those who have made it their career to oppress others are to have their downfall.

We know that the very chains they use to enslave others, in our country and beyond, will be their own demise.

We know we all have a responsibility to do our part in this fight against human trafficking.

And we know that God is leading His own military at the head of this fight.

And we must continue to repent and to call on His name for victory!

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

May God empower us as we posture ourselves in humility and allow Him to dress and equip us as He shows us our part, whether in prayer or as boots on the ground, in this battle against ‘modern day slavery’.

Thank you and God Bless you mightily!

Helen

Happy New Year !

The Red Cord Prayer Focus for January 2021

A Blessed New Year to all of you! We hope you have enjoyed the holidays, embracing those you love, and/or just taking time to reflect and reset 😊. I think maybe we can all agree we need a mind and body ‘reset and refresh’. Out with the old, and in with the new! One of the things I love most about the Lord is how He encourages us to let go of the past and embrace the new. He is all about reconciliation and making things new within us, so we can start again with a fresh new perspective and purpose. Isaiah 1:18 and 43:18-19

Philippians 3:13b-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. With all of the political unrest we are experiencing, let us not forget that hundreds of thousands of lives, both victims and survivors are greatly affected right now by this destructive and degrading exploitation called human trafficking for both sex and labor. They desperately need our prayers. In fact, there has been an increase in 2020 due to the pandemic!

We hope you will turn your attention and prayers once again towards this global epidemic that touches our home towns and cities across America, and yes even in rural Oklahoma where good ole country folk live. Do you recognize the signs and vulnerabilities? Are you able to see what is right in front of you? “The eye can’t see what the mind does not know”. The more you know, the more effective you can be in prayer. Seek us out. We would love to get you connected with our next education opportunity.

The following are prayer points we would appreciate prayer for, some of which I shared in last month’s prayer focus that does not change!

Pray for our young people in this digital age, who spend a lot of screen time on the internet. This creates a target-rich environment for traffickers to recruit kids online through social media, chat apps, and video games. Pray for protection and that many of these open doors on the internet would be shut down. Pray for those working tirelessly in this area to create more online safety measures that prevent access from predators/traffickers.
Pray for parent’s wisdom and close monitoring of their children’s online and outside of home activities
Pray for young people to recognize the red flags and listen to their gut instincts when something is off in what appears at first to be harmless conversation with someone who showers them with attention, luring them unknowingly into dangerous situations. Pray for them to have courage to say no and tell their parents or some other trusted adult about the encounter.
Pray for our law enforcement, many of which have been trained to detect human trafficking. Pray that they would continue to have keen eyes and ears attuned to recognizing a possible trafficking situation, and for quick wisdom and timing in the matter. Pray that our law enforcement would have adequate number of proficient officers needed in each city and county to help combat human trafficking, thereby bringing justice to every victim.
Pray that more people throughout our communities will become educated and trained to recognize the signs of human trafficking in their own neighborhoods and communities, thereby saving lives. This is the power of prevention!
Pray for all the victims still out there and rescued survivors still struggling with the trauma, who may feel alone, depressed, and maybe still entertaining thoughts of suicide. They need our prayers, prayers that God the Father will show Himself in tangible amazing ways, that they would not feel alone, but instead will have a peaceful sense of His presence and love wrapped around them. Pray for others to come alongside them for support.
And once again, we would greatly appreciate prayer for our upcoming 4th Annual Freedom Gala on January 30th, “From Surviving to Thriving”, featuring keynote speaker Ilonka Deaton. Other local survivors will also be sharing their stories. Please pray for a successful turnout, especially during these difficult times for many people, and for hearts to be stirred to action in joining the fight against human trafficking. Pray for the many survivors to be encouraged, strengthened, and inspired to new heights they never before imagined. This will be a celebration of life, a celebration dedicated to survivors who are all overcomers in their own right. We hope you will join us!

We appreciate your prayers for us here at The Red Cord. There are many areas of assistance and support needed to carry out the mission of bringing light into the darkness. Some of these areas include help with bringing awareness, education, and training; help with projects that further educate and raise funds for resources and goods that support local survivors as well as other Human Trafficking organizations focused on after-care for survivors.

Do you feel God is laying on your heart to be a prayer intercessor for The Red Cord, or to be involved in any of the areas I have shared above? If so, please contact us by email at redcord@theredcord.org

Once again, we very much appreciate your prayers which is a huge blessing we cannot do without.

Blessings,

Helen

The Red Cord Prayer Focus for December 2020

The Christmas holidays are upon us, and I would imagine for many it’s met with mixed emotions due to the stress, pain, and challenges of this past year. My prayer is that we can embrace the hope and peace found in the message of Christmas….Christ with us, Emmanuel, casting all of our cares upon Him for He cares for us, to be cleansed and refreshed, filled with the unsurpassing peace of Jesus who is called the Prince of Peace.

It’s important as people of prayer to take good care of ourselves, to know when it’s time to rest and repair the chinks in our armor so we are not vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.

The battle against human trafficking has never been greater. While we have heard good news of successful rescues of victims and arrests of traffickers and buyers, these still represent but a small percentage of the whole yet to be accomplished and there is a world of evil that opposes us on every end. But we will not give up.

Galations 6:9 And let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Please remember that the majority of those trafficked are not necessarily out on the highways and byways. They are our neighbors, our students, our co-workers caught in a silent prison, hidden in plain sight. It is true there are many missing children being trafficked, and even sacrificed in satanic rituals and they desperately need our prayers. But let us not forget those around us that may appear to be living normal lives, but aren’t. They are living in a hell that no one else seems to notice.

Other key points to remember to cover in prayer at this time –

For all students who will be on vacation from school for the holidays. With this comes more screen time on the internet, which creates a target-rich environment for traffickers to recruit kids online through social media, chat apps, and video games.
Safety and protection during holiday travel, at airports, hotels, rest stops, special events and parties, shopping malls, and where young people hang out.
For parent’s wisdom and close monitoring of their children’s online and outside of home activities.
For young people to recognize the red flags and listen to their gut instincts when something is off in what appears at first to be harmless conversation with someone who showers them with attention, luring them unknowingly into dangerous situations. Pray for them to have courage to say no and tell their parents or some other trusted adult about the encounter.
While we are focused on celebrating the holidays with family and friends, remember to continue to pray for all the victims still out there and rescued survivors still struggling with the trauma, who may not be celebrating, who may feel alone, depressed, and perhaps more vulnerable to suicide. They need our prayers, prayers that God the Father will show Himself in tangible amazing ways, that they would not feel alone, but instead will have a peaceful sense of His presence and love wrapped around them. Pray for others to come alongside them for support.

We would also greatly appreciate prayer for our upcoming 4th Annual Gala next month in January “From Surviving to Thriving”, featuring keynote speaker Ilonka Deaton. Other local survivors will also be sharing their stories. Please pray for hearts to be stirred to action in joining the fight against human trafficking. Pray for the many survivors to be encouraged, strengthened, and inspired to new heights they never before imagined. This will be a celebration of life, a celebration dedicated to survivors who are all overcomers in their own right.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us this past year, for giving of your time, talents, donations, and prayers. We cannot do this without the love and support of our community and we thank God for you. We thank God for His Hand of blessing and provision… His guidance, protection, wisdom, and grace to do what He has called us to do. To Him we give Honor and Praise.

Isaiah 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

Blessings, Helen

The Red Cord Prayer Focus for November 2020
Pornography

Never has there been a time in our recent history, especially in America where a great deal of attention is brought to the issue of human trafficking, particularly child trafficking today.

If we are going to address sex trafficking which is the majority of human trafficking, then we need to address pornography, the gateway to trafficking. Pornography and sex trafficking go hand in hand. If you have one, you have the other. If there was no pornography, there would be no demand for victims.

Pornography is an addiction, similar to drug addiction in its’ damaging effects on the brain. The images and videos of pornography can eventually lead to acting out on innocent victims. Many of the images and videos of pornography are actual victims of trafficking, coerced and forced to portray the images and scenes created, many of which are violent. The abuse is horrific and traumatizing to victims both physically and emotionally. These victims include untold numbers of children. For both adults and children, it takes years of aftercare to bring healing to the shame, confusion, extreme depression, PTSD, and anxiety.

Pornography destroys lives. It destroys the person addicted, their relationships, and those who may become their victims as a result of the addiction.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
For this purpose was the Son of God manifest, to destroy the works of the evil one. 1 John 3:8

The Word of God says we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly realm.

For those who are in Christ, He has given us authority in His name to take dominion over wickedness. The Son of God came, and now lives in us to carry out the mission of destroying the works of the evil one.

Who or what are the evil ones or evil spirits we deal with when it comes to pornography?

The ‘ruling spirits or strongholds’ of pornography is ‘Perverse Spirit & Whoredoms’. The two ‘chief spirits’ of these strongholds is ‘Sexual Impurity’ and ‘Whoredoms’. The first ‘chief spirit’ ‘Sexual Impurity’ brings it’s ‘afflicting’ spirits, some of which are child molestation, pornography and rape. The second ‘chief spirit’ is ‘Whoredoms’ bringing it’s afflicting spirits of idolatry, excessive appetite, prostitution, adultery, and chronic dissatisfaction.

As we pray let’s take authority over these spirits by name, calling for it’s destruction and hold to be loosed from people’s lives.

1) Pray for those who are addicted to pornography and its’ damaging effects on the spirit, soul, and body.

– To be awakened to the sin and destructive behavior of porn and repent (turn away)
– For freedom and healing in Christ – that their minds would be renewed by the Word of God and His love
– That they would reach out and take the necessary steps to become accountable. Pray they would have a strong supporting system in their lives to encourage them.
– That they would be set free from the lie that says they can’t overcome the addiction
– To be set free from shame and guilt
– For their brain’s neuron pathways (damaged by porn) to be healed.
– For relationships to be restored and whole
– That the door of the enemy would be shut in their lives

Isaiah 41:13, Ps 141:8, Job 31:1, Ps 25:15, Ps 119:37

2) Pray for the families affected by loved ones’ addiction to pornography, that there would be healing, forgiveness, and restoration. Isaiah 41:13

3) Pray for those in the porn industry.

For those who have willingly subjected themselves to be used in the images and filming of pornography, and in strip clubs, that they would come to the realization of their true worth, wonderfully and fearfully created by God and loved by Him, that they would be set free, healed and restored from the harmful and abusive effects of porn.
Pray that the supply lines of the porn industries/sites would be cut off. Pray that their minds and hearts would be pierced by the conviction of the Lord and turn from this wickedness. Pray that the Holy Spirit would sweep across the industry, resulting in the complete shutting down of their businesses.

4) Pray for the victims of porn, who have been coerced and forced into these images and videos. Pray for divine intervention and provision, that they would be rescued, set free, and restored to wholeness.

5) Pray for our governments and legal system, for God-honoring laws that would outlaw completely the exploitation of people through porn. Pray for leaders to be raised up that would take a stand for this cause. Pray that governmental strongholds in the spiritual realm that empower pornography would be brought down in the name of Jesus Christ. Amos 5:24, Ps 89:14

6) Pray for the Church to take a stand and be the lead protector and defenders of our communities and address the issue of porn in their own churches with courage, wisdom, and sensitivity. Isaiah 61:1-3 Pray for restoration of purity in the Church and in our nation.

7) Pray for men to rise up in our communities and churches and take a stand against pornography, to be both examples and mentors to their sons and other young men and boys, providing the tools needed to combat the temptation of sexual immorality.

8) Pray for The Red Cord, and the many other organizations that educate and make resources available to help bring freedom to those who are addicted to porn. Pray also for those who are reaching out to prostitutes and strippers, that God would give them favor and the power of His love to minister to them.

We acknowledge that we cannot do this without God’s guidance, intervention and healing power. And we thank you for praying with us in the battle against pornography.

If you have a prayer request regarding this issue of pornography, you are welcome to contact us. We have a prayer team that would be glad to pray with you.

The Red Cord Prayer Focus

October 2020

This month’s theme is focused on Spiritual Warfare.

First off, I think we all agree we are living in a different world in just less than a year’s time. I also believe that what we are witnessing today is the manifestation of the kingdom of darkness at work for some time now.

Those of us in the anti-trafficking movement are well aware of the spiritual warfare that is involved when we engage the territory of the enemy in human trafficking. Even as I was preparing this letter and while The Red Cord was preparing for a Night of Worship recently dedicated to human trafficking, the attacks of the enemy were very evident.

Satan hates us praying and worshipping God, because he knows it invokes the power and presence of God Almighty in our midst.

So, whether we like it or not, as believers who believe and proactively engage in the fight against trafficking, whether in our prayer closets or as boots on the ground, we are in war involving the spiritual realm.

In the large scheme of things, it’s important we understand we are in a battle for the soul of nations in this season. I believe we are experiencing a shaking of the earth as Hebrews 12:27 describes “…removing of those things that can be shaken, so that what cannot be shaken may remain.’ God is exposing darkness, the dark deeds of men from the political arena to the trafficking world, which incidentally have some connections to each other. Human trafficking is nearly the #1 criminal enterprise worldwide, and today we are witnessing more arrests made and victims rescued. This is good news, praise God! He is doing a mighty work, and there is so much yet to be done, spiritual strongholds of HT that have to be brought down by the power of God, in the name of Jesus!

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” 11Corinthians 10:4

Romans 8 describes the earth groaning in expectation for the sons of God to come forth, clothed in strength and glory…. overcomers! I believe God wants to see an overcoming, powerful church in the earth and not just in the hereafter. When we realize the fullness of our salvation provided through the Blood of Jesus, we can come into our full identity in Christ. So, I want to encourage us to see ourselves as victorious, including in our prayers, as we walk in the righteousness of Christ.

When it comes to the horrors of human trafficking, child porn, child trafficking, and all it entails, it can feel overwhelming when we pray, unable to find adequate words. We hardly know where to begin sometimes. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. One simple and powerful way to pray is praying the Word of God – The Word of God, and its’ principles incorporated in our prayers, is praying in the will of God. When you find a passage of scripture, think about the meaning and principles of that scripture and all that it can apply to. Replace the personal pronouns with those you are praying for, whether it be victims, survivors, those in the fight against trafficking, the criminal networks of HT…etc. God will give you passages of scripture to pray from. If you have a prayer language in the Spirit, use it! 🙂

If I may suggest a book I have used, it’s called ‘Prayers That Rout Demons’ by Apostle John Eckhardt. He takes the scriptures and almost word for word turns them into short sentence prayers, divided into different categories. There are also free videos online reciting these prayers. Check them out. Not only will it inspire you in how you pray, but it will also lift your spirit!

Remember also that God has given hosts of angels to come to aid in the answer to our prayers (ministering spirits). Call upon God to dispatch these angels when needed.

I heard someone say recently that “Sometimes the shadow cast by your prayers are greater than the prayers themselves”. Don’t underestimate your prayers in faith! God’s Word does not return void!

Be encouraged and lifted up. God said if we would humble ourselves before Him, He would exalt us. Not for ourselves, but for His Glory, because He desires to work through us! That in itself is humbling! To think that the God of the Universe would choose to want to work through us and alongside us! We are His Body! What a marvelous mystery to grasp! Satan knows this. Shall we not know it that much more!

Please remember the following in your prayers – If God lays a particular area on your heart to spend more time praying over, be obedient to that. You may not pray for everything equally and that’s okay. God may give a special burden of another area to someone else.

This is ‘Spiritual Warfare’ month. If you desire to be used by God to pray, ask God to sharpen your spiritual senses, so you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading when He reveals something to you that needs prayer. Because of the season we are in, be watchful, be prayerful, and walk circumspectly in all wisdom and in the power of His Spirit. Guard your walk and intimacy with Christ. Be filled with His Spirit. You cannot give out what you don’t have. Take care of yourself. Be prayerful and selective in the battles of life you engage in on a daily basis. Ask God to help you prioritize your time and energy so you are not distracted or burned out and unable to answer the call to pray when God calls on you. We are very appreciative that you are reading this letter now. Thank you!
Pray for the Body of Jesus Christ to come into her full destined purpose, to ‘Be the Church’ out in the world, and not just on certain days of the week and celebrations within brick and mortar. Can you imagine if everyone fulfilled ‘their assignment and God given purpose’ out in the world, the transformation we would see?! We are called to be soldiers of Christ to defeat the enemy and advance the Kingdom of God in the earth, setting captives free and bringing righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.
Anti-trafficking organizations need the prayers of faith-filled believers of Christ!
Please be on the lookout for The Red Cord Newsletter that is posted on this website in the first week of every month. Pray for the events shared in the newsletter.
Pray for the trainings, radio interviews, and podcasts that are ongoing. Pray for more available volunteers, especially trainers.
As we hear about rescues and arrests regarding trafficking and prostitution, please be praying for all the individuals involved. Pray that victims who are rescued will courageously take the next step of accepting the help offered to them without the fear of retaliation from their pimp or trafficker. Pray against the fear, and speak life, courage, peace and soundness of mind over them. Pray that they would accept the care and love offered to them, so they can receive the healing and restoration needed in their lives.
Pray for those addicted to pornography. Porn is what fuels the demand for sex trafficking of both adults and children. We are seeing a sharp increase in the demand for child pornography which leads to the acting out on children themselves from infancy to teenagers, with 13 being the most targeted age. This demonic stronghold must be brought down through our prayers!
Pray that all that is hidden in darkness would be brought to light; that criminal networks of human trafficking and prostitution would be dismantled. Pray that attempts to decriminalize prostitution would be defeated. Pray for those being trafficked under the guise of prostitution, as well as those who felt they had no other option but to sell themselves, only to find themselves in a place of enslavement they did not see coming. Pray for their deliverance and healing.
And, as always The Red Cord staff and volunteers covet and appreciate your prayers…prayers for continued open doors to bring awareness and training, especially in those places of greatest need where there is resistance in some form or another, which is most often spiritual darkness pushing back against the Light. Pray for the hearts engaged during trainings to be stirred to action. Pray for multiplied fruit from our labors and that the fruit would remain and grow. Pray that God would keep us in His will, that we would be sensitive to His leading, especially in these times of unrest. Pray for God’s protection and covering over us. Pray for rest and strength in the midst of the battle and the demand of time involved.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy”

Thank you and God bless you in this season. We pray that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.

Helen

The Red Cord Prayer Focus for September 2020

Prostitution versus Trafficking

What do you understand about Prostitution and Sex Trafficking? How are they different and similar? Let’s go over some basics and perhaps begin removing some misconceptions held by many. Only then will we be able to pray more effectively with compassion for those caught in this web of sex exploitation.

The terms “sex trafficking”, “sex work” and “prostitution” are often used interchangeably.
While both sex work and sex trafficking involve prostitution, by definition…
sex work entails a willing engagement in commercial sex
sex trafficking involves force, fraud, or coercion.
A high number of those who enter the industry willingly as sex workers eventually become victims of trafficking.

TRC member Laura F. shares “Oftentimes, people who decide they want to be their own boss doing sex work eventually find themselves under the thumb of a pimp. Instead of setting their own schedule, choosing their clients and keeping whatever money they earn, they are often raped, controlled by fear and don’t keep a single penny. Many of them become addicted to drugs and face jail time, only to re-enter the world of prostitution once released, believing that there is nothing else for them, and this is what they signed up for anyway”.

A high percentage of those who choose prostitution have been sexually abused in the past, have low self-esteem, or find themselves in any number of desperate financial situations, feeling alone and unable to support themselves or their families. Many feel trapped and convinced there are no other options available to them. Pimps are keen in recognizing these vulnerability points and are quick to take advantage, wasting no time to then force and coerce them into enslavement. No girl or boy ever says “When I grow up, I want to be a prostitute”.

Some feel that Prostitution should be legalized, and therefore viewed as a ‘business’ which would require a business license, regulation, and taxation. Pimps do not want to be regulated and pay taxes. Therefore, it would push trafficking further underground.

Some would like to see Prostitution decriminalized which would remove all charges and penalties from anyone involved which will surely increase trafficking. It becomes a free for all.

It’s important our hearts and minds are well informed so we can pray with understanding and knowledge. The Bible encourages us to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding….

So how do we pray? As always, ask Holy Spirit to lead you when you pray. The following are focus points to guide us.

Continue to pray that vulnerable women, men, boys, and girls would be shielded and protected supernaturally from those that would prey upon them. Pray for ministering spirits to be dispatched, directing their steps away from vulnerable situations.
For those who initially choose prostitution, pray that they would know their true worth and value as a human being deeply loved by their Heavenly Father. Pray that their paths would be divinely connected with those who are ready to love and receive them, to help them take those first steps towards a new path. Pray for the necessary provisions to assist them in the path to total freedom, independence and healthy interdependence.
Pray for our law enforcement and first responders to be protected as they risk their lives out on the field, especially at this time. Pray that the crises at hand would not distract them from being at the right place and right time to see and recognize victims of prostitution/trafficking that need help. Pray that they would have wisdom and compassion before making premature judgements
Pray for the legal system. Although penalties for pimps/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 that Prostitution would NOT become legalized, thereby putting more lives at risk of being sexually exploited and enslaved.
It’s important we have leaders in our nations who will do all they can in their power and influence to fight sexual exploitation on every front, which includes prostitution. Continue to pray that in this next election, that citizens would exercise their right to vote for leaders who will stand for justice for all who are victimized.
Pray that every demonic stronghold at the root of pornography (which fuels the demand for purchased sex), and prostitution/sex trafficking would be rooted out, torn down and demolished in the name of Jesus. Pray for the activation of resources and manpower to combat this epidemic in our communities throughout the world.
Pray that the church would rise up, take their place, and become engaged in the fight against sexual exploitation/trafficking, and set an example in the community by taking responsibility in caring for the ‘orphans’ – those who are abandoned, without protection and support. Pray the church would be eyes and ears to see and recognize those who may be vulnerable to the entrapments of prostitution and trafficking, and help safeguard them.

We invite you to stay tuned for more on this particular issue in our September’s theme video featuring our interview with Jaco Booyens, speaker, film producer, Anti-human trafficking activist, and our 2019 Gala keynote speaker. It will be on our Facebook page and on this website soon. Please invite your church leaders and anyone else you know to join us.

In addition to our focus of the month, we ask that you continue to be vigilant in your prayers for the continued ongoing operations of taking down numerous pedophile rings, child pornography sites, and individuals exploiting and raping children. Enough cannot be said in praying for the rescue of these children, and for their healing and survival.

May justice be served and vindication rendered to every victim and survivor.
Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne: Mercy and truth go before Your face.

Thank you for your faithful prayers,
Helen

The Red Cord Prayer Focus for August 2020

As people of faith, believers in Christ, we cannot afford to abdicate our responsibility to pray effectively regarding the issue of human trafficking, or modern day slavery, soon to be the number one largest criminal enterprise in our nation.

We can no longer ignore the alarming facts. If you have not been educated on those facts, do so, and get connected at heart level. There are countless lives at stake! They are not just abducted. They are your neighbors, friend’s children, school mates, & co-workers, who are bound in silence, unable to get free from the psychological bondage that keeps them enslaved to exploitation.

Sometimes we feel helpless, not knowing where to start in praying effectively.

I would like to share the following that I thought would be another helpful guide. It was taken from Cornerstone Conference IPHC a couple of years ago, yet never more true today.

Allow the Holy Spirit to use our collective voices to pierce through the spiritual darkness that hold many captive, and declare freedom, redemption, and healing through Jesus, our mighty Lord and Deliverer.

Thank you for your prayers,
Helen

A Prayer Strategy for Human Trafficking
By Valerie Beck

More than 40 years ago, in a small store in northern Minnesota, a blond-haired, blue-eyed little girl stood mesmerized by trinkets in one aisle as her mother shopped in the adjacent one. Unexpectedly, a woman with a small boy told the little girl that she needed to go with them. The girl balked quietly, but she was not accustomed to opposing adults, even strangers.

From the back seat of the stranger’s car, the little girl wondered how her mother would find her. By God’s grace, within moments the girl’s mother hurried to the parking lot and noticed her precious child in the car right next to her own. The mother jerked the door open, freed the little girl, and welcomed her back into her arms—thwarting the enemy’s plans.

That little girl was me—and God did something in my life that day. Through my near abduction and other experiences, God gave me a passion for those who are taken, lured, or even given away and sold for sex.

As prayer leaders, we need to understand the reality of human trafficking—and how we can pray.

Hidden Evil

Earlier this year, Minnesota hosted the Super Bowl. With any large event such as this, we can expect an increase in lewd behavior that includes purchasing women and children for sex. These hidden evils escape unnoticed because often the transactions occur via the Internet. In Minnesota, more than 200 such ads were posted daily in the online marketplace. The profile of a “buyer” is a white, married male, age 30–50, who has disposable income and, usually, a history of pornography.

What can the Church do about all this? We offer the only true hope and healing. Jesus extends His hand to all those who are broken, lost, and living apart from Him. This includes the men who are the sellers and buyers of sex, as well as the abuse victims.

Each person is made in God’s image and is valued by Him. His Word reminds us of our true enemy. His Word also reminds us that our prayers change things. As prayer leaders, we need to engage our congregations in praying about sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Here are some ways to take action through prayer:

Pray that the Church

will be willing and prepared to engage in healthy and helpful conversations about sexual exploitation, pornography, and abuse (Rom. 8:1, 5).
will remember the gift of grace and offer prayer support and biblical truth (Eph. 2:1–9).
will be unified and viewed as a valuable and necessary resource in this battle (John 17:23)

2. Pray that traffickers and buyers

will find their transactions interrupted and their wicked plans frustrated (Ps. 9:16, 10:15, 146:9).
will see the reality of what they are doing and seek help (Phil. 2:3–4; 1 Cor. 6:18–20).

3. Pray that the sold and abused

will be found and will receive the offered help despite fear, threats, and deception (Matt. 10:28; Ps. 72:12–14).
will experience restored minds, bodies, and lives through Christ (Zech. 9:11–12; Rom. 12:2).
will follow through on treatment plans and learn to live in a new, healthy, and productive way (Eph. 4:22–24).
will desire Christ alone and allow Him to fill their need for belonging, acceptance, joy, hope, and peace (Rom. 8:15; 15:13).

4. Pray that law enforcement and outreach workers

will have a shield of physical and spiritual protection as they hear about and see the horrible violations done to the victims (Ps. 5:11–12).
will be strengthened in Christ for the battle (Phil. 4:13).

In addition, pray that God will bring confusion into the enemy’s camp so that his schemes are unorganized and ineffective (Deut. 7:23; Ps. 71:24).

We desire all involved to come to repentance, to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and to find healing and redemption in Him (2 Peter 3:9; Rom. 10:9–10).

Those who are broken in body and spirit cannot be repaired without our God who heals, restores, and provides true hope for both now and eternity. What the enemy means for evil—even the horror of sex trafficking—God can turn around for His good purposes (see Gen. 50:20).

JULY 2020

Friends,

America and many parts of the world are in a fight for the souls of our nations.

In this month of July as we remember America’s Independence Day, may we appreciate the sacrifices and prayers that bore this nation into being. Despite its flaws, America remains in its’ goal to be a beacon of light and freedom to all.

Gradually we are made painfully aware that freedom and the pursuit of happiness is not experienced by many in our midst, often hidden in plain sight. These are the ones who have the greatest to lose, pushed further back into the darkness and forgotten, if we do not stand in the gap and pray for our nation. Pray that we would be healed and unified in putting to flight every enemy who would dare take away our God given freedoms. Pray and ask God what our part is as we put our feet to action in the answer of those prayers.

Lord, we didn’t see them.
But you did-
The hundreds and thousands of human beings
trafficked each year to join the millions who are trapped in
modern-day slavery.

They are children, women, and men of all backgrounds, forced or coerced into sex and labor exploitation, for sale, many under extreme conditions, unimaginable to those of us who live free to choose our path in life.

But you see them all.
You hear their cry and you answer
by opening our eyes, and breaking our hearts
and loosening our tongues to insist:

No more.

“Let’s put down the weapons we hold against each other and gather around this societal plaque. Let us all – of every color and creed – join hands and attack this wicked darkness together.” Tim Ballard

If the Son has set us free, we are free indeed

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon us, Because the Lord has anointed us to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners

The Red Cord