Prayer Service for World Day against Trafficking in Persons

Act to Protect and Assist Trafficked Persons

Leader:  
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally.

  • 81% of them are trapped in forced labor.
  • 25% of them are children.
  • 75% are women and girls

The International Labor Organization estimates that forced labor and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide . (Source: www.polarisproject.org) We pray for an end to these practices that rob people of their God-given human dignity. We pray that we will act to protect and assist trafficked persons.

Nan Merrill – From Psalm 72

   Ant: May our prayers rise up before You and blessings of love be freely rendered.
Bring justice to the peoples, O Beloved, and your mercy to all generations!  May the people be known for mercy, rendering justice to the poor!

Let their spirits soar as the eagle, let joy abide in every heart!  May we heed the cry of the poor – the young and the old, helping to free all those in need, awakening the souls of oppressors!

May we know oneness with You as long as the sun endures, as long as the stars shine, throughout all generations! May we acknowledge You in the rain falling on the fields, like showers that water the earth!

In our day may justice flourish, and peace abound, throughout all the nations!  May the leaders of nations from all the earth, listen to Love’s Voice; May they spend time in Silence before they counsel!

May the leaders surrender to your Love, and the nations serve the Most High! For You heed the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no friend. 

You have compassion on the weak, the downtrodden, giving them strength and hope.  From injustice and oppression, You redeem their life; and precious are they in your Heart.

   Ant: May our prayers rise up before You and blessings of love be freely rendered.

Suggested reflections: 

St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of trafficked persons
St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of trafficked persons
 
U.N. Videos: Portraits
You Tube Video : Illumination - A Prayer for Freedom
Ezekiel 34: 11 - 16
Matthew 25: 31 - 46

Intercessions:

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Through the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of trafficked persons, we pray:
For trafficked persons to be relieved of their suffering….
For law enforcement officers and health care workers to recognize those being trafficked and come to their aid …
For the conversion of the perpetrators of human trafficking…
For an end to this form of modern-day slavery ….
For the restoration of all victim’s God-given dignity …

Closing: 

 

Prayer for an End to Human Trafficking (Gen Cassani, SSND)

O God, 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 labor 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 pray 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.  

Click here for suggestions from USCCB on how to help fight Human Trafficking 

Click here to print or save this document  (Includes suggestions from USCCB)

Commitment: