The heartbreaking reality of sex trafficking is the topic for January’s City Prayer. This particular crime viloates children and adults, both male and female.
2023 is a year for action in Prayers for your City, and while we will discuss prayer, there are actions you can take locally. Researching how to help locally may give you hope, discovering organizations that are making possitive steps to help those affected by sex trafficing, and how you can join their efforts.
Sex trafficking is occurring in overwhelming numbers in our nation and, this means it is happening in a zip code near you. My family moved from a state that has a major freeway system that is known for moving stolen people for this trade and landed in another state with the same freeway transit occurring.
Ug!
Raising girls, it was no comfort when I found this out. And that is where I should begin this thought process. We are, no doubt, self-thinkers first. Thinking of protecting our own. But who wants this to happen to anyone else’s child? I sure do not!
The news reports can leave me feeling helpless and unable to be a possitive impact for the situation.
Do you feel powerless too?
I recently discovered a website that local to me, that helps young women avoid or heal from this abuse. The site is Hilltop Recovery Ministries | Assist Young Women Be Self-Supportive. Their site says that in 2016 there were about 70,000 children sex trafficed in Texas.
70,000 C H I L D R E N in one state.
Sex trafficing is closer than you think.
Google the image for Huskies Stadium that seats about 70,000 people. (There are photo licence laws and I could not find one that was free-use to provide for you.)
Please pop onto Hilltop Recovery Ministries to see what they provide and their fundraising efforts to purchas their own building.
Your turn
Maybe you already know a resourse to help people in similar situations in your City. If you do, would you share about it in the comments? If you don’t know of a local resourse, would you take a few minutes to search online?
Or maybe you feel God tugging at you to start your own ministry to aid those who have been or are at risk to be sex trafficked.
A final note — prayer.
Lord, stumble the plans of those who are plotting and planning to use children and adults for the sexual purchases. Put a spotlight on the sellers and hunters of these precious children. Thank you for turning my fear and worry into action locally. Help me invite a friend on this journey with me. In Jesus name, Amen.
I would love to hear from you and what you disover! Let’s spread the hope!
Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds!
Michele Marie Weisman
Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash (broken)
Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash (post sign)
Photo by Melissa Walker Horn on Unsplash (ducks in a row)
That number is earth shattering! And this is one type of crime among hundreds more. I couldn’t find statistics for this crime in the town nearest me. Is there a site that gives an overview by state?
That is a great question, Dianne. I think they probably found it in a government site. It is an earth shattering number. Too big to fully comprehend.
It seems to me that raising awareness of sex trafficking and other crimes is an important way ultimately to find (perhaps) the single source of distress – that when we address that source, we may find it influences all the others. (Something like treating the cause, not the symptom.) If we keep digging, we will get to it. Pray that God continues to inspire us to keep digging!
Insightful perspective, Sally. Thank you. I listened to a podcast this week that brings the love of Christ to the prisoners, changing their hearts and trajectory. You are definitely on to the greater truth. Thanks so much for stopping by—and may we keep digging. 🙏