GatheringVoices:A Journey of Prayer

Gathering Voices – A Journey ofPrayer is an exciting initiative aimingto gather a network of voices, youngand old, to intercede into the injusticeof prostitution and human trafficking,running up to the 2012 Games.This resource is based on the prayersof women who have been directlyaffected by this issue and we areinviting you to join with their prayers.

Prostitution, trafficking and sexual exploitation inthe UK, although often hidden and unnoticed, iswidespread and happening in every town and cityin this country; you do not have to look far todiscover it. Consequently, the question arises:when confronted with an issue like prostitution,what can the Church and Body of Christ do tomake a positive difference? On numerousoccasions the Church has been accused ofthrowing away “its street cred by trading in itsrelational mission to the poor and marginalized fora seat of power”1. The 2012 Games is anopportunity for the Church to engage once againwith some of the most marginalized in societythrough committing to pray faithfully for thoseaffected by the issues. We want God to expandour hearts and increase our vision to see a countrywhere people are free from sexual exploitation.

Based on a simple liturgical rhythm, this resourcewill have seven daily prayer responses eachfocussing on issues of sexual exploitationand the 2012 Games. At the heart of the dailyresponses will be prayers of intercession writtenby women who have exited prostitution. Each daywill focus on a different theme. These are:

We hope that you will be able to use this resourceas a platform for interceding on behalf of thoseaffected by these issues, and that you will gatherwith other voices around this country to unite inthis journey of prayer.

This resource has been designed to be used as aregular cycle of weekly prayer, however please feelfree to use it as you feel led; this may be in yourown devotional time, with a group of others, or in acompletely different way altogether.

Monday:International Trafficking:bought and sold for sexTuesday:Those who exploit othersWednesday:Our towns and cities: prostitution in the UKThursday:Engaging on the ground: projects aroundthe UK

Friday:Protecting innocence: The grooming andsexual exploitation of vulnerable childrenSaturday:The sex industry: dealing with demandSunday:A loving Church: putting justice into action

“Evening, and morning, and noon,will I pray, and cry aloud;and he shall hear my voice” Psalm 55:17 (KJV)

“Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction,faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 (NIV)

GatheringVoices:A Journey of Prayer

1 http://churchethos.com/engaging-culture/the-christian-response-to-prostitution/

Silence

Father in Heaven, my heart is filled with sadnesswhen I hear about sex trafficking. We know youhave a better life and purpose for these vulnerablepeople and my prayer to you, Lord is that you willgive them wisdom, courage, strength andprotection. It’s only through your Grace and Lovewe will be able to put a stop to this.Amen.

Father, in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Gamesin Britain, shine your light! Expose this evil crimeand lead the authorities and your other helpers tothose at risk of exploitation. Lord, please help usto prevent the evil of those forced into humantrafficking and prostitution quickly and effectivelyand help us to rescue those already involved.Amen.

Lord! We cry out to you for freedom for yourprecious children. Let them find themselves safeand well in your loving arms where they candiscover the true plan and purpose for their lives.Thank you that you created us all to enjoy all youprepare for us; life lived in faith, hope and love.In Jesus name,Amen.

Call to Prayer

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Silence

SCRIPTURE Luke 4:16-21 (NIV)

Jesus stood up to read, and the scroll of theprophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he hasanointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for theprisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to setthe oppressed free, to proclaim the year of theLord’s favour.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to theattendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone inthe synagogue were fastened on him. He beganby saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilledin your hearing.”

Silence

CLOSE

Jesus Christ, King of all the earth; None but you can help those who have beenstolen away into slavery all over the world. Rise up and rescue your defenceless children! Grant them justice and enfold them in peace. Amen.

LLoorrdd GGoodd,, aass wwee bbrriinngg oouurr pprraayyeerrssTThhaannkk yyoouu tthhaatt wwee ccaann sshhaarree iinn yyoouurr kkiinnggddoomm ooff jjuussttiiccee aanndd ppeeaaccee..WWee ccoommee iinn oouurr ppoovveerrttyy,, nnoott iinn aabbuunnddaanntt wweeaalltthhIInn oouurr bblliinnddnneessss,, nnoott wwiitthh iimmmmoovvaabbllee ffaaiitthh,,IInn oouurr wweeaakknneessss,, nnoott iinn mmuucchh ssttrreennggtthh.. YYoouu wweellccoommee aallll ppeeooppllee..SSoo nnooww wwee bbrriinngg ttoo yyoouu tthhoossee ffrroomm tthhee wwiiddee aanndd tthhee nnaarrrrooww ssttrreeeettss ooff oouurr wwoorrlldd WWhhoo nneeeedd tthhee lloovvee ooff tthhee SSaavviioouurr aanndd HHeeaalleerr ttoo wwhhoomm wwee pprraayy..

AAmmeenn ((NNCCAAPP))

Day OneInternational Trafficking: bought and sold for sex

Silence

Dear Lord, I pray for protection for anyone who willbe in harm’s way while the Olympics are on.Please let the exploitation happening at this timebecome known. Help those responsible for it tobe not just shamed but ashamed of what they do.With you, everything is possible so let this abusestop! However young or old - not just peoplebeing exploited, but also the ones exploiting them- let them find you Lord and know your love. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Lord, open the hearts of those who can prevent thisexploitation and convict the consciences of thosewho seek to benefit from the suffering of others.Open the doors so the captured can safely escape. Open the eyes of those who seek to help, Open our ears Lord, so we can hear their cries. Loving Father, grant them your peace.Amen.

Silence

SCRIPTURE Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV)

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a mannamed Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.“Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up andfollowed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’shouse, many tax collectors and sinners came andate with him and his disciples. When the Phariseessaw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does yourteacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthywho need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learnwhat this means: ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice.’ ForI have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Silence

CLOSE

“When he tells us to love our enemies, He gives,along with the command, the love itself” Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love yourenemies and pray for those who persecute you, thatyou may be children of your Father in heaven. Hecauses his sun to rise on the evil and the good, andsends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)

OO MMeerrcciiffuull GGoodd,, ffiillll oouurr hheeaarrttss,, wwee pprraayy TThheeee,, wwiitthh lloovvee,, jjooyy,, ppeeaaccee,, lloonnggssuuffffeerriinngg,, ggeennttlleenneessss,, ggooooddnneessss,, ffaaiitthh,, mmeeeekknneessss,, sseellff--ccoonnttrrooll.. TTeeaacchh uuss ttoo lloovvee tthhoossee wwhhoo hhaattee uuss;; ttoo pprraayy ffoorr tthhoossee wwhhoo ddeessppiitteeffuullllyy uussee uuss;; TThhaatt wwee mmiigghhtt bbee cchhiillddrreenn ooff TThheeee,, OOuurr FFaatthheerr,, wwhhoo mmaakkeesstt tthhee ssuunn sshhiinnee oonn tthhee eevviill aanndd oonn tthhee ggoooodd aanndd sseennddeesstt rraaiinn oonn tthhee jjuusstt aanndd tthhee uunnjjuusstt.. IInn aaddvveerrssiittyy ggrraanntt uuss ggrraaccee ttoo bbee ppaattiieenntt;; iinn CChhrriisstt’’ss nnaammee..

AAmmeenn ((CCeellttiicc pprraayyeerr))

Day TwoThose who exploit others

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Call to Prayer

Silence

Jesus my Lord, as I reflect on how you stood upbefore your community to announce you hadcome to bring good news to the poor, to proclaimrelease to the captives and recovery of sight to theblind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaimthe year of the Lord’s favour; I thank you that youhad me in mind. You came to bring me, and allvictims of sexual exploitation the good news that I am loved and accepted by you, that I can bewashed clean, and become free from all that haskept me captive. You have given me the ability tosee myself and others through your eyes ratherthan as a person tainted with the evil of myexperience. You have given me a future, free fromall the evil that spoils the world and destroys lives.

Yes! Shine your light Father God, into thedarkness. Pour out your blessings and providethe resources so desperately needed toencourage and assist those we can help toescape. And Father please give us all we needto provide long term help and support whereneeded so those who break away are not then leftvulnerable and at further risk. Amen.

Silence

SCRIPTURE (from Isaiah 43 and 49)

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast andhave no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

Silence

CLOSE

Circle me, Lord. Keep protection near and danger afar.Circle me, Lord. Keep hope within, keep doubt without.Circle me, Lord. Keep light near and darkness afar.Circle me, Lord. Keep peace within, keep evil out. (David Adam)

YYoouu aarree tthhee ppeeaaccee ooff aallll tthhiinnggss ccaallmmYYoouu aarree tthhee ppllaaccee ttoo hhiiddee ffrroomm hhaarrmmYYoouu aarree tthhee lliigghhtt tthhaatt sshhiinneess iinn ddaarrkkYYoouu aarree tthhee hheeaarrtt''ss eetteerrnnaall ssppaarrkkYYoouu aarree tthhee ddoooorr tthhaatt''ss ooppeenn wwiiddeeYYoouu aarree tthhee gguueesstt wwhhoo wwaaiittss iinnssiiddeeYYoouu aarree tthhee ssttrraannggeerr aatt tthhee ddoooorr

YYoouu aarree tthhee ccaalllliinngg ooff tthhee ppoooorrYYoouu aarree mmyy LLoorrdd aanndd wwiitthh mmee ssttiillllYYoouu aarree mmyy lloovvee,, kkeeeepp mmee ffrroomm iillllYYoouu aarree tthhee lliigghhtt,, tthhee ttrruutthh,, tthhee wwaayyYYoouu aarree mmyy SSaavviioouurr tthhiiss vveerryy ddaayy..

AAmmeenn ((CCeellttiicc pprraayyeerr))

Day ThreeOur towns and cities: prostitution in the UK

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Call to Prayer

Silence

Thank you Lord, for those reaching out to peoplewho are sexually exploited. Please help us to better understand the depth ofemotional wounds these women carry – it can takemany years before they become free.

Open the eyes of our minds and hearts - not justour ‘looking’ eyes that can ‘look away’ in fear,hopelessness or disgust. Help us step closer tothe ones so many reject and despise - thevictims, those who offend others - to share thehope and love we received from you.

Lead us not to judge, but to love - willingly walkingbeside these beautiful daughters of yours as theydiscover there is a good life to live without theneed to sell themselves.For there, but for the grace of God, go any of us...

Lead us into the depths of mercy, grace and truehumility. Move us beyond our human opinions, motives andagendas, above our own expectations andcapabilities to reach out especially to those thatlook as if they least deserve your love. Fill us withacceptance, approval, change, truth, freedom,identity, the power, the source, that comes fromyou alone. Amen.

Silence

SCRIPTURE Matthew 25:35-40 (MSG)

[The King will say] ‘I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' [Then they will reply] 'Master, what are you talking about? When did weever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and giveyou a drink? And when did we ever see you sick orin prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did oneof these things to someone overlooked or ignored,that was me—you did it to me.'

Silence

CLOSE

O God, we ask you for one thing more. Send us your Holy Spirit, that he may endue us with power, that he may renew our hearts, that He may make us strong.That we may hear, believe and obey you.And praise your name, Amen. (Celtic prayer)

OO GGoodd,, pprreesseerrvvee uuss iinn yyoouurr kkeeeeppiinngg,, tthhaatt wwee mmaayy nnoott ffaaiinntt aanndd aabbaannddoonn yyoouurr wwoorrdd..LLeett uuss eennjjooyy tthhee ffaaiitthhffuullnneessss wwhhiicchh yyoouu hhaavvee sshhoowwnn tthhrroouugghh yyoouurr SSoonn JJeessuuss CChhrriisstt..KKiinnddllee iinn uuss tthhee ffiirree ooff yyoouurr ddiivviinnee lloovvee;; lleeaadd uuss ttoo pprraaccttiissee lloovvee aass yyoouurr ddeeaarr cchhiillddrreenn..LLeett tthhee lliigghhtt ooff yyoouurr ddiivviinnee gglloorryy iilllluummiinnaattee uuss tthhaatt wwee mmaayy wwaallkk iinn iitt..

AAmmeenn ((HHaannss LLaannggmmaanntteell))

Day FourProjects reaching women in the UK: engaging on the ground

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Call to Prayer

Silence

Heavenly Father, your Word asks us to break ourhearts for what breaks yours. Now the plans arein place to capture and ensnare your preciouschildren - some to be transported as cargo to aforeign land where darkness seeks to destroythem.

Lord, this pain and suffering was never your plan:for children, women and men to be used, abusedand exploited, living in terror of a key turning in thelock again or heavy footsteps on the stairs tellingthem they are about to be violated once more inthe worst of ways. Amen.

Silence

SCRIPTURE Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV)

For you created my inmost being; you knit metogether in my mother’s womb. I praise youbecause I am fearfully and wonderfully made; yourworks are wonderful, I know that full well. My framewas not hidden from you when I was made in thesecret place, when I was woven together in thedepths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformedbody; all the days ordained for me were written inyour book before one of them came to be.

Silence

CLOSE

I have a mission... I am a link in a chain, a bond of connectionbetween persons. God has not created me for naught...Therefore I will trust him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.God does nothing in vain. He knows what he is about. (Cardinal John Newman)

FFaatthheerr ooff tthhee ffoorrssaakkeenn,, hheellppeerr ooff tthhee wweeaakk,, ssuupppplliieerr ooff tthhee nneeeeddyyYYoouu tteeaacchh uuss tthhaatt lloovvee ttoowwaarrddss tthhee hhuummaann rraaccee iiss tthhee bboonndd ooff ppeerrffeeccttnneessss aanndd tthheeiimmiittaattiioonn ooff yyoouurr bblleesssseedd sseellff..SSttrreennggtthheenn uuss iinn tthhee wwoorrkk wwhhiicchh wwee hhaavvee uunnddeerrttaakkeenn;; ggiivvee uuss wwiissddoomm,, ppeerrsseevveerraannccee,,ffaaiitthh aanndd zzeeaall aanndd iinn yyoouurr oowwnn ttiimmee aanndd aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoo yyoouurr pplleeaassuurree pprroossppeerr tthheeiissssuueess,, ffoorr tthhee lloovvee ooff YYoouurr SSoonn,, JJeessuuss CChhrriisstt..

AAmmeenn ((LLoorrdd SShhaafftteessbbuurryy))

Day FiveProtecting innocence: grooming and sexual exploitation of vulnerable children

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Call to Prayer

Silence

Father, I pray for the punters who purchase sex. Let them see those women as beautiful; createdby you, not sex objects devoid of feelings. Jesus, show them the reality of what they aredoing, the damage they are inflicting onthemselves, and their wives or partners. I find it easy to think of women who sell theirbodies as victims, and the punters as theperpetrators of abuse, but Lord, you love allpeople and the truth is - unless we know you - we can all be deceived by the evil one. We long for every man who pays to use a person'sbody to experience a relationship of true intimacyand love with you Father. Move upon their heartsthat they may know eternal life! Amen.

Silence

SCRIPTURE Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-7 (NLT)

Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink – even if youhave no money! Come, take your choice of wine ormilk – it’s all free! Why spend your money on foodthat does not give you strength? Why pay for foodthat does you no good? Listen to me, and you willeat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen,and you will find life.

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on himnow while he is near. Let the wicked change theirways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercyon them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgivegenerously.

Silence

CLOSE

Creator of the universe, watch over us and keepus in the light of your presence. May our praises continually blend with those ofcreation, until we come together to the eternal joys whichyou promise us in your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

GGooooddnneessss iiss ssttrroonnggeerr tthhaann eevviillLLoovvee iiss ssttrroonnggeerr tthhaann hhaatteeLLiigghhtt iiss ssttrroonnggeerr tthhaann ddaarrkknneessssLLiiffee iiss ssttrroonnggeerr tthhaann ddeeaatthhVViiccttoorryy iiss oouurrss tthhrroouugghh HHiimm wwhhoo lloovveess uuss..

((DDeessmmoonndd TTuuttuu))

Day SixThe sex industry: dealing with demand

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Call to Prayer

Silence

Lord I thank you that there are some people inyour church who reach out to sexually exploitedwomen but I ask for more understanding of thedepth of emotional woundedness that thesewomen carry. Transformation is a process that cantake many years before a personal walks infreedom. Lord help us as your body to love andnot judge, to be willing to walk side by side asthese beautiful daughters of yours discover thereis a good life to live without selling themselves.

Father, I ask you to move by your Spirit upon thehearts of Christians across this nation; that theywould pray compassionately for children, womenand men who are sexually exploited. Raise upthose who will speak boldly and honestly toexpose this situation and also explain the recoveryprocess that each individual has to walk through.Help us to regard people caught up in this tragedyfirst and foremost as first class citizens of yourkingdom rather than treat them as victims – whichmight further compound their sense of shame.Amen.

Silence

SCRIPTURE Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)

Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgiveanyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you mustforgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which bindsus all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule inyour hearts.

Silence

CLOSE

Now to him who is able to keep us from falling,and to bring us faultless and joyful before hisglorious presence – to the only God our Saviourbe glory, majesty, might and authority from allages past, now, and forever. Amen.Jude 24:25 (GNT)

SSoo tteeaacchh uuss,, LLoorrdd,, ttoo sseerrvvee yyoouu aass yyoouu ddeesseerrvvee::ttoo ggiivvee aanndd nnoott ttoo ccoouunntt tthhee ccoossttttoo ffiigghhtt aanndd nnoott ttoo hheeeedd tthhee wwoouunnddssttoo ttooiill aanndd nnoott ttoo sseeeekk ffoorr rreessttttoo llaabboouurr aanndd nnoott ttoo aasskk ffoorr aannyy rreewwaarrdd ssaavvee tthhaatt ooff kknnoowwiinngg tthhaatt wwee ddoo yyoouurr wwiillll..

AAmmeenn ((IIggnnaattiiuuss ooff LLooyyoollaa))

Day SevenA loving Church: putting justice into action

WWoommeenn’’ss VVooiicceess ooff IInntteerrcceessssiioonn

Call to Prayer

Women are not just sexually exploited around the Olympics.Throughout the world, wherever you go, whether there is asporting event or not, you will find women, children and menwho are sexually exploited. If you would like to know how toengage further in this issue and you feel as though God isstirring your heart to do something more, please visit theGathering Voices website: www.journeyofprayer.com for moreideas of what can be done.

Please follow us and join with us on this journey of prayer...

Twitter Link: http://twitter.com/#!/GatheringVoicesFacebook:http://www.facebook.com/GatheringVoicesJourneyofPrayer

Visit our website: www.journeyofprayer.com

This resource has been produced by Beyond the Streets inpartnership with CARE and with the support of many otherorganisations that feature on www.journeyofprayer.com

If you would like further informationabout what other Christians are doingin the run up to the Olympics pleasevisit http://morethangold.bpweb.net/

We would like to thank all those whohave contributed to producing thisprayer resource and given up theirtime and hard work to make ithappen. In particular we wouldspecifically like to thank the womenwho have written prayers for thisresource; we are grateful for theprivilege of joining with you in prayingthese prayers and interceding into theinjustice and pain experienced bypeople caught up in the sex industry.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not ourdarkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to bebrilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you notto be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not servethe world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so thatother people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant toshine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory ofGod that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give otherpeople permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our ownfear, our presence automatically liberates others”. Quote by Maryanne Williamson1

Keep Informed...

www.beyondthestreets.org.uk www.care.org.uk

1 Williamson, M. (1992) A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. Harper Collins, p.190 – 191.