Prayer impels us to love and inspires us to service. Service in turn concretizes our love and intensifies our union with God and his purposes. (SSND constitution)
Prayer is integral to all we do to stop human trafficking. Let us pray for the victims trapped into slavery, for the victimizers, and that we may all come to recognize, reverence and uphold the dignity and rights of each person.
Prayer to end human trafficking
Creator of us all, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of children and adults deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour because of human greed.
Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and seek ways for it to end.
Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted. Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good and send the exploiters away empty-handed.
Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen.
(written by Gen Cassani, SSND)
The UN International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed annually on August 23. Sister Celeste has written a reflection to mark this day. Reflection for August 2009
Prayer to use with a group
Voice 1
Lord, You created the world and intended it to be a good place. You called its people to be co-creators with You. When things seemed at their worst, You came to show us the way. Gracious God, we gladly proclaim:
All
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Voice 2
Human trafficking demeans and dehumanizes both the trafficker and the trafficked person. We pray that You, O God will touch the hearts of both the exploiters and the victims, that they may have the courage to escape from this evil. For we believe:
All
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Voice 3
We pray that world government leaders will act justly and quickly to confront the issues that lead to, and allow for human trafficking. And thus demonstrate that:
All
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Voice 4
We ask for your protection and guidance as we persevere in our attempt to make your world a safer place for your people. We declare:
All
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate,
Light is stronger than darkness, Truth is stronger than lies.
Let us pray together:
Lord God, You call each of us to consciously open our minds and hearts to the sorrow and sufferings of your people. Give us the courage to listen to their stories with compassionate hearts. Inspire us to be witnesses to a hope that dignity will be restored to your people. Amen
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