International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 2, 2015 – Prayer Guide
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings be made for all people. 1Timothy 2:1
The United Nations has declared Wednesday, December 2, as the International Day for the Abolition
of Slavery. This day is focused on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in
persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment
of children for use in armed conflict. Please join us in marking this day by praying for the men, women
and children trapped in slavery today and for all those around the world united in ending these atrocities,
including Justice Ventures International (JVI).
The Problem:
God hates injustice. There are nearly 36 million people enslaved around the world today.* Despite
laws that clearly make the practice illegal, slavery is increasing. Women and girls account for 70 percent
of those trafficked. Ten countries account for 76% of the world’s slaves, with India having far more
enslaved people than any country, with more than 14 million enslaved. China accounts for the next
largest number of enslaved people at approximately 3 million. In today’s world, there is no country
immune to the ills of modern slavery.
What is modern day slavery? It takes many forms:
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Sex trafficking;
Forced and bonded labor;
The use and recruitment of child soldiers;
Unfortunately, there are many examples, including:
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Women being tricked into moving across borders for non-existent jobs, only to end up in brothels
or forced marriages;
Men and boys trafficked into the fishing industry;
Children working in brick kilns and garment factories,
Women and children trafficked into domestic servitude
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People agreeing to work in a household or construction site or factory for reasonable pay, only to
find on arrival they are in fact forced laborers, working without pay, and subject to threats and
violence if they try to leave;
Some countries still practice descent-based slavery, where slave-owners literally pass down their
slaves, and the children of their slaves, to their descendants.
*See Walk Free Foundation, www.walkfreefoundation.org
Prayer Requests:
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Praise God for the close to one thousand rescued by JVI and its local justice partners over the
last twelve months, the thousands we have empowered to fight slavery through human rights
training, and the tens of thousands we have influenced through our advocacy initiatives with
others.
Praise God for JVI’s justice venture partners including freedom businesses and other local justice
organizations who are providing sustainable freedom, justice and restoration to thousands of
slavery survivors and those vulnerable to slavery.
Pray that the millions still trapped in slavery will find new freedom and see the God of justice
move with power in the midst of their darkness.
Pray for the defeat of all corrupt and evil activities of perpetrators and others aiding them.
Pray for deliverance from spiritual attack against victims of injustice, justice venture partners, and
JVI staff, lawyers, and consultants.
Pray against any spirit of division, cynicism, discouragement or physical illness against JVI staff,
family, justice venture partners, or victims of injustice.
Pray for safety for those traveling and conducting various case investigation activities.
Praise God for the growing number of participants in the Free the Captive, Fight the Trafficker
Endurance Events races in the third and fourth quarter of 2015. Pray that through their efforts we
will raise greater awareness about the problem as well as solutions to fight modern day slavery.
Pray that many new donors, volunteers and prayer partners will come forward to support JVI’s
work.
Suggested Scripture Reflections:
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Amos 1 (Chapters 1, 2 and 5)
Isaiah 58
Micah 6:8
James 1:27
The Solution
God calls us to seek justice. The pursuit of justice is the shared responsibility of all those with the
ability to help. JVI’s vision is to see unjust communities transformed into communities ordered according
to God’s standard of love. True justice is the exercise of power and authority to order society according
to God’s standards. Simply put, justice is the order that God’s love requires. Scripture makes it clear
that God’s justice requires freedom for victims from their abusive/oppressive situation, accountability for
offenders for their abusive/oppressive actions, and restoration for victims by bringing healing and relief,
as well as restoration of offenders (where possible) through restitution and other rehabilitative efforts,
and transformation of unjust systems into those that more justly distribute the benefits of society.
As a Christian faith-based organization, we believe that Jesus Christ is the perfect expression of God’s
love for all humanity. We are called to serve the poor and oppressed, and seek to protect and restore
the rights and dignity of those suffering injustice while helping to transform unjust structures in the
communities where they live. Our fight is not against flesh and blood alone, but against spiritual
principalities, powers and structural evil. We pursue justice for all individuals, regardless of religious
belief, race, ethnicity or gender. JVI believes that the work of justice is sustainable only if embraced and
led by individuals in local communities. We seek to equip, empower and support local justice ventures,
and are committed to fostering justice solutions in partnership with local leaders, volunteers and
community members and organizations who are an integral part of these communities.
Prayer Requests:
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Praise God for helping JVI forge strong partnerships with private local justice organizations and
public justice agencies led by a growing number of talented and dedicated leaders in India and
China.
Pray that God will grow new and existing JVI partnerships with others to deepen and expand
global and local justice efforts on behalf of the poor, abused and oppressed.
Pray that perpetrators are held accountable and turn from their previous illegal and abusive
practices. Praise God for a recent High Court order in India that will strengthen sex trafficking
prosecutions.
Pray for courage, protection and continued restoration for new slavery survivors freed through JVI
partnerships in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal who are facing many
challenges as they continue in their new life of freedom.
Praise God for the many women whose lives have been transformed through JVI freedom
business partners Freeset and Sari Bari (India) and the Starfish Project (China).
Pray for wisdom and diplomacy in working effectively with existing and potential new private and
governmental partners.
Suggested Scripture Reflections:
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Matthew 18:19-20
Revelation 7:9-10
Nehemiah 3
The Promise
God promises us that He is in control and that justice will ultimately prevail. He assures us that we
can, and should, rest in Him. Jesus has given us the power to fight for justice through the power of the
Holy Spirit.
Prayer Requests:
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Praise God for His holiness, power, knowledge, wisdom, strength, love, mercy, goodness. Praise
Him that He is our provider, savior, sovereign Lord of all.
Praise God that He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ to proclaim good news to the poor, proclaim
freedom for prisoners and to set the oppressed free. Praise God that through Jesus’ life, death
on the cross, and resurrection, we have access to eternal life. Pray that men, women and
children will place their trust in Him and follow Him.
Praise God for His promise that He will wipe every tear away and there will be no more death’ or
mourning or crying or pain, that all injustices will be made right and a new order of love will be
established (see Rev. 21).
Pray that the God of power, justice and mercy will quickly bring freedom, justice and restoration to
the millions held in slavery. Pray that they will receive food, shelter, clothing, freedom, security,
safety, decent jobs, health care, and other basic needs. Pray that offenders will be held
accountable.
Pray for justice workers that they will be protected from burnout and will find encouragement,
strength and joy through the Holy Spirit.
Pray that men, women and children JVI serves, justice venture partners, and JVI staff, lawyers
and consultants, will be protected and delivered from the schemes and attacks from perpetrators
and other oppressors.
Praise God for our existing faith-based and secular partners including churches, businesses,
government agencies, and volunteers.
Pray that God’s kingdom will come…..within our families, JVI’s offices, our justice venture
partners, brick kilns, rock quarries, carpet factories, brothels, slums, other places of oppression
and injustice.
Pray that God’s will is done….in our personal lives, our families, the lives of those working at
justice venture partners, the lives of perpetrators of injustice, the lives of victims, the lives of
lawyers, government authorities, police and others with power to help.
Pray that God will lead more of His people to fight for justice on behalf of the poor and oppressed.
Suggested Scripture Reflections:
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Psalm 46: 1-11
Psalm 23: 1-6
Isaiah 58
Revelation 21:1-4, 18-21
Revelation 22:1-5
John 4: 1-26
John 3:16
John 7:37-39
John 14:25-26
Acts 1:8
2 Timothy 1:7
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12