The Core of Bridges4Justice
The transformation of lives and communities takes God’s power! In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us that “apart from Me, you can do nothing." Prayer has always been foundational in everything Bridges4Justice does and mobilizing prayer has been a high priority from its inception.
Prayer activates God’s power on earth to:
Set captives free Save and restore broken lives
See evildoers stopped and brought to justice
Stir people to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God
Here is a list of tools that you can find as you scroll down.
- Anti-Trafficking Scripture Prayers – pray God’s Word over key areas needing transformation
- Daily Prayer Guide – justice prayer topics for each day of the week
- Fast4Justice – fasting overview and invitation to join others in fasting
God’s Miraculous Intervention to Stop the Flow of Trafficking Globally
“Ah Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
“You are the LORD God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for you?” Jeremiah 32:17, 27
Revival and Hearts for God, His Righteousness and Justice
“Even now,” declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:12-14
“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 22:16
Rescue of Trafficked Victims/Outreach in Red Light Areas
“Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.” Psalm 71:4
“From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” Psalm 3:8
“He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.” Psalm 107:14-16
Justice within the Legal System
“Give the king (leaders) your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!” Psalm 7:1-4
Restoration for Victims – In Community and Aftercare Homes
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-4
Prevention/Protection with Transformation of Women/Families at Risk
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
Protection for Vulnerable Populations (Refugees, Immigrants, Prisoners, Foster children)
“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.” Psalm 10:12
Frontline Workers and Organizations
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” Psalm 3:3-5
Protection of Children at Risk
“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.” Psalm 10:17-18
Halting the Spread of Pornography & Other Evil Medias That Feed Lust and Greed
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7
Local Community and Push Factors
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” Hebrews 13:20-21
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
SUNDAY—CELEBRATE AND WORSHIP! Worship the God of justice. Celebrate Christ’s victory on the cross. Rejoice in God’s care for the oppressed and that He is orchestrating His intervention on their behalf. Pray the Body of Christ will seek the Lord in deeper ways and rise up for Biblical justice and for the oppressed. Pray for mobilization of prayer and the release of resources and personnel. “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord." Jeremiah 22:17
MONDAY—PREVENTION Pray for transformational community development in vulnerable communities. Pray for the establishment of fellowships of believers. Pray for the training programs for women at risk to bring transformation to the woman, her family, and community. Pray for vulnerable populations such as refugees, immigrants, prisoners, former inmates, and foster children. Pray for protection of youth from online traffickers. “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17b-18
TUESDAY—RESCUE AND RESTORATION Pray for safety for investigators and for God to reveal the places where minors are being held. Pray for smoothness in operations of organizations working with governments to rescue minors. Pray for successful rescues. Pray also for effective legal systems to bring perpetrators to justice. “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” Proverbs 24:11
WEDNESDAY—PRAY FOR SURVIVORS Pray for survivors, from the moment of rescue through their reintegration into community. Pray they will be completely healed and restored, finding true freedom and restoration in Christ and His love for them. “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14
THURSDAY—FREEDOM BUSINESS Pray for freedom business in red light districts, at-risk communities, and among survivors. Pray for orders and effective marketing of products so women will have income with dignity Pray for B4J sales and sales representatives. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
FRIDAY—FRONTLINE ANTI-TRAFFICKING MINISTRIES AND WORKERS Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual health and renewal for front-line workers. Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual protection as they carry heavy burdens. Pray for unity and networking for God’s glory and effective ministry. “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 1:3
SATURDAY—THWARTING OF SATANIC POWERS AND PLANS Pray for God to send confusion to rings of traffickers globally. Pray for truth to triumph over the Satanic lie that devalues the girl-child. Pray for deliverance for abused girls who suffer from demonic oppression. Pray against the evils of pornography and online evil media. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4
THE PRIVILEGE OF FASTING
Heart motive: “When you fasted…was it really for me that you fasted?” Zechariah 7:5 (See also Isaiah 58; Joel 2:12, 15-16; Daniel 9:3,20)
“When we fast, we are invited to feast on Jesus, the bread of life…Fasting unto our Lord is therefore feasting—feasting on Him and on doing His will.” Dallas Willard, Celebration of Disciplines
Fasting’s reward: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Mt. 6:16-18
Corporate fasting plan: To collectively stand in the gap (First Friday of each month for Bridges4Justice) and be the bridge of intercession releasing God’s available power to bring justice, set captives free and bring healing to victims of human trafficking. He is our strength to overcome against the spiritual forces of evil behind this oppression. Fasting is like the exclamation point on the end of our prayers! We encourage all those in the Bridges4Justice network and friends of B4J to find someone who will join you in prayer and fasting the First Friday of each month. We encourage the formation of “Praying Pairs.”
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 2:10:3-5
Choosing your fast: The type of fasting you choose is between you and the Lord. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. You might “fast from media” and devote extended portions of your day to prayer. Remember that fasting is not just abstaining from food, but spending focused time in worship, confession, and intercession!
How to begin: Prepare spiritually by confessing your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2). When you fast your body eliminates toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains, which are natural reminders to pray! Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Acknowledge that you are following Jesus' example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship music. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face. Don't overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.
Prayer Strategy in Interceding for the Lost:
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Cor. 4:3-4
“The purpose of our praying is not to force or coerce his will (the unbeliever); never that. It is to free his will of the warping influences that now twist it awry. It is to get the dust out of his eyes so his sight shall be clear. And once he is free, able to see aright, to balance things without prejudice, the whole probability is in favor of using his will to choose the only right.
I want to suggest to you the ideal prayer for such a one. It is an adaptation of Jesus’ own words. It may be pleaded with much variety of detail. It is this: deliver him/her from the evil one; work in him/her Thy will for him/her, by Thy power to Thy glory in Jesus, the Victor’s name…
The word ‘deliver’ in this prayer, as used by Jesus, has a picturesque meaning. It means rescue. Here is a man taken captive, and in chains. But he has become infatuated with his captor, and is befooled regarding his condition. Our prayer is ‘rescue him from the evil one’ and because Jesus is Victor over the captor, the rescue will take place…The prayer in Jesus’ name drives the enemy off the battle-field of the man’s will and leaves him free to choose aright.” ~ S.D. Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer
May God greatly bless you as you sacrificially intercede for what God delights in—that kindness, justice and righteousness are exercised on the earth! (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
