A Call to Prayer
for Missing, Exploited, and Trafficked Children
Day 8
Thank you for joining Day 8 of the 10-day prayer initiative for missing, exploited, and trafficked children. The focus of this day centers on praying for those on the frontlines; we turn our attention to praying for the protection and effectiveness of law enforcement.
Each day in this initiative includes Scriptures upon which to read and reflect, a basic discussion regarding the intention of the prayer topic, and a prayer that is to simply serve as a guide or starting point; what matters most is that we are directed by Biblical truth, lean into further intimacy with the heart of God, and be lead by the Spirit.
Throughout this call to prayer, share your prayers in the comments that we may join you through this journey.
Praying for the Effectiveness and Protection of Law Enforcement
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Execute justice in the morning, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed.” Jeremiah 21:12a
In our nation—even despite the willing and fervent involvement the community, nonprofit organizations, and private investigators—law enforcement officers are always on the frontline in the fight against human trafficking; every day, patrol officers, detectives in the missing persons and human trafficking units, and officers serving undercover delve into the dark corners of our communities and come face to face with evil. They see the victims, confront the perpetrators, and bear the burden of knowing. They confront evildoers and are required to see and document the destructive consequences of the wicked. It is not an easy job, and they often face ridicule and accusations for minor mistakes. In the last few years, the political climate in our nation has made our police departments unsafe and generally unwelcomed regardless of the victories they have achieved in finding and shutting down seemingly endless amounts of trafficking networks in our communities. But, their efforts are not in vain. And, we must remember that the Lord delights in the pursuit of justice. Throughout Scripture, Satan is referred to as “the lawless one;” but, the Lord calls His people to maintain impartial justice and to be subject to governing authorities. Law enforcement officers serve to maintain societal law and order, to rescue those who are in trouble, and to protect the vulnerable from those with wicked intent. It is good and right for us to pray that the Lord will protect these officers in their daily routines and increase the effectiveness of their efforts.
“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15
Prayer
Lord, give favor to the law enforcement officers serving our communities. Guide them in wisdom and knowledge so that their investigations are effective, swift, and accurate. Father, bless those who seek to maintain justice and safety in our neighborhoods; protect them while they work and cover their families with your favor. Ease their hearts and minds from the events of the day and help them sleep soundly knowing that You are with them in the pursuit of justice. Give them comfort for they have witnessed much evil and have sought to combat it.
Lead our police departments, God, to seek justice impartially and in accordance with the law. Give them the wisdom they need to be good stewards of the authority granted to them. Make our various law enforcement agencies a joy to the righteous and a terror to evildoers. Thank you, Lord, that You are a God of justice and order. Thank you for blessing us with police, sheriffs, and federal agents who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect and serve. Lead them, oh Lord, and keep them safe.
We pray, Father, that You will give our law enforcement officers guidance, wisdom, comfort, favor, and protection for the sake of missing, trafficked, and exploited children. Amen.
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:18-20
Share your prayers in the comments.