A Call to Prayer

for Missing, Exploited, and Trafficked Children

Day 5

Thank you for joining Day 5 of the 10-day prayer initiative for missing, exploited, and trafficked children. On this day, we turn our focus inward, to review our own personal complacencies, and to repent before a holy and loving God.

Remember that 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 Repentance from Our Complacency

Most turn a blind eye—some for the sake of avoiding the inconvenience of heartache, others out of apathy. Nevertheless, the evidence is apparent. Most do not know, and show little to no desire to understand, the daily realities in the underbelly of society, the plight of the poor, exploited, and victimized; truthfully, it is a dark, emotionally burdensome, and wildly inconvenient conversation. And, while there are a few who see in part and complain, there are even fewer who take action. Again, the evidence is apparent: in how we vote, in what we prioritize, in how we invest, in what we consider to be a good use of time, and in what we decide is and is not our responsibility. But, if we want to make a difference, if we want to prevent further traumas, we must make action and prevention our personal responsibility. In the conversation of the public good, the safety of our children, and the advancement of God’s kingdom of justice and righteousness, we cannot delegate responsibility to municipalities (void of accountability) and so find ourselves in dereliction of Christian duty. It is the demonic teaching of Marxist collectivism to place the duty of activism on the shoulders of government officials, to encourage the response of Cain—“Am I my brothers keeper?” (Genesis 4:9); individualism, however, the foundational philosophy of western civilization, demands the requirement that one take personal responsibility. While it may appear obvious, it must be said that there is a vast difference between Isaiah’s bold response of “here I am, send me” and modern society’s passive reply of “there they are, send them.” Boaz made Ruth’s struggles his personal responsibility; he did not echo the sentiments of Cain: “am I this woman’s—this stranger’s—keeper?” Instead, he exemplified the second greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

“Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” Psalm 25:6-9

Prayer

Lord, forgive us for our idleness, for allowing ourselves to be ignorant and oblivious to the pain of the least of these, for following the spirit of Cain. Forgive us for turning a blind eye and allowing ourselves to be disengaged from the plight of the those who are suffering around us.

Father, forgive us for allowing the tragedy of child trafficking and exploitation to escalate throughout our neighborhoods and communities. Forgive us for not taking seriously Your command to fervently pursue justice for the afflicted, healing for the broken, and rescue for those in need. Forgive us, oh God, for not taking personal responsibility for those in need.

Jesus, create in us a new heart—one that is broken for that which breaks Your heart. Cleanse us of our selfishness and lead us instead to love our neighbor with a genuine love that glorifies your name. Amen.

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

Share your prayers in the comments.