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| Sejong City, South Korea |
As more and more woman are trafficked then rescued, we often look at the rescue as a success and move on. But God is a God of continual renewal and regeneration. Even as we watch the seasons change, new flowers bloom each year, leaves turn to oranges, reds, and golden yellows before falling to the ground and later being grown again, we see the renewing power of God at work. God's desire is not to simply physically rescue women out of bondage, but to also set them free mentally and spiritually. Women who have been trafficked have suffered such emotional and physical trauma that they often need counseling for the rest of their lives, and so rescue is only the first step. Many women suffer from depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and any and all other consequences which come out of being abused and raped over and over again. They find it difficult to not feel guilty and suffer from terrible sorrow and fear after being saved from a life of slavery. These feelings can continue for the rest of their lives, making it difficult for them to function in normal society and to build healthy relationships. Often women willingly enter back into a life of slavery or prostitution because of these reasons.
We can be thankful, though, that our God is a God who lifts depression and brings peace, He takes away anxiety and brings hope, He quiets fear and allows strength to take hold.
I sense that God wants us to pray for women who have formerly been trafficked and now are rescued, maybe they have only been out for a few months, or maybe 30 years, but still they are suffering from a depression creeping in and trying to take hold of them in the night, in the morning, when there is a lull in their day at work, etc. God wants to remove that creeping depression, and He wants to bring peace. God is not a God of anxiety or fear, but of peace and love. "Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18
Cry out to God:
Oh God we believe You are a God of perfect love. Within you and all around You there is NO FEAR! There is no depression, there is no anxiety, there is NO FEAR! Amen! You are breaking the chains of depression and allowing your people to walk in freedom. Those who were formerly slaves, their chains have been unlocked and loosed, but they are still working and living with those chains on them. As soon as they take a step forward their chains are going to fall off! Hallelujah! Their handcuffs have been unlocked, and their ankle chains have been opened; they are no longer bound. They simply need to accept Your freedom Jesus. Thank you that You have already given Your freedom to us. As we acept this freedom, let us feel the lightness of Your peace, hope, and strength. Thank you that as we praise You, You continually and faithfully unlock the doors to freedom, You continually break the chains and cause them to fall off of Your loved ones. God we ask that You would let those who have suffered at the hands of captors and are now feeling pain and guilt beyond our comprehension to have their guilt and fear wiped away completely in Your Name Jesus we pray! You are a good Father who loves to give good gifts to Your children. Give your children the gift of peace in their mind as You have given them in their bodies we pray. Guide them. Wash over them with the regeneration of Your Holy Spirit. Watch over them. Protect them. Allow them to not feel fear any longer. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
