Child Sexual Exploitation
17 Aug 2015
A key spiritual battleground
Moses commands Israel – "You shall not give any of your children to devote them by fire to Moloch" Lev 18:21. Moloch demanded child sacrifices – and parents and relatives gave them to this evil demon. It was an abomination. The Centre for Social Justice recently reported on "A growing group of children and young people whose family lives have broken down or who are in deep crisis." Violence, abuse, trauma, bullying, uncertainty, hopelessness – many of our teenagers are in a battle ground. The devil wants to destroy children, just as he did in Moses day. Jesus wants to rescue them and call them to himself. We are at war.
Alisha's story
Today twelve year old Alisha will have sex for the first time – she is nervous but she is eager to please her older boyfriend Dan who buys her drinks and gives her the attention she misses at home. Dan gradually introduces her to more of his friends and to drink and drugs and parties. He encourages her to have sex with his friends. When she refuses she is raped but she still loves Dan and he still loves her doesn't he? Alisha's story is mirrored across this land. Like many thousands of children she is a victim of sexual exploitation.
What is child sexual exploitation (CSE)?
Barnardos describe it as 'Where a young person is encouraged or forced to take part in a sexual act in exchange for something' (presents, money, attention). The most vulnerable are aged between 13 and 15 and may be boys or girls across all races and backgrounds. They may be from broken homes but they can be from loving, supporting homes. They may be from this country, or have been trafficked into the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Trafficked children are kept as virtual prisoners. The NSPCC describes the story of a 14 year old from Central Africa trafficked into the UK on a passport for a 21 year old, repeatedly raped, badly beaten up, bewildered in a strange country. When she escaped she was imprisoned by the British Police for her fraudulent passport. She now suffers significant mental health problems.
How can we pray?
Pray for protection
Here are some key areas where CSE is most likely:
- Children with learning disabilities are targeted.
- Young people who go missing from home are picked up on the streets.
- On the internet young people are persuaded to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves.
- Children in care homes – 1% of children are in care but 24% of the adult prison population and 70% of our sex workers were in care homes. Care homes are targeted and children are manipulated and abused.
- Children in gangs – there is huge pressure on girls in gangs to have sex with a wide range of boys some as young as ten as part of initiating boys into the gang. Rape is a common weapon to intimidate rival gangs.
- Broken homes – abusers are manipulators – they convince victims that their families and friends don't love them and the abuser is the person that truly cares about them.
Patrick Regan of XLP reports on an increasing number of girls dragged into the appalling world of exploitation, criminality and hopelessness.
Pray for healing and release
Children caught up in sexual exploitation suffer. They become isolated from their families and friends, they get pregnant, they fail exams, are less likely to get jobs. They lose their confidence and sense of identity and suffer mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress, addiction, aggression and suicide. Lord have mercy.
Who can we pray for?
Most areas are forming multi-agency teams of Police, voluntary sector, social workers, mental health professionals to work together. Pray for unity, wisdom and peace – these are stressful positions. Pray for Christian agencies like Hope for Justice and Unseen who help trafficked children. Pray for youth workers and Christian teachers and parents to have discernment and wisdom – Lord brings these terrible works of darkness into the light
This is spiritual warfare
Satan is hateful, destructive, manipulative, violent, and a liar. Sexual exploitation starts with deception – pray and keep praying against the father of lies manipulating children. It moves on to sexual abuse, violence, addiction. Pray for this to be brought into the light and for children to be rescued.
This really is warfare – we need to see strongholds brought down, lives changed, and the chains broken. Warfare needs persistent, informed and determined prayer. Can you be a watchman for children in your neighbourhood, your local school or park? Prayer walk and listen to God that the children to come to Jesus.
What lies ahead?
The Professionals involved in this field are convinced we have only seen part of the picture. The numbers will grow and the knock on effect in terms of broken families, court cases, shocking tales in the press and more mental health issues will accelerate. We need to pray:
- Pray in your area for God's protection on children in abusive relationships where you live and work – have mercy Lord
- Pray that the enemy will not succeed in manipulating children – may his lies be exposed, the traffickers and abusers be imprisoned
- Blessing on the Police, social services, teachers, children's workers – make them protectors and rescuers.
Source: World Prayer Centre
Back to School with God
17 Aug 2015
Back to School with God Sunday is a church service which is aimed at encouraging congregations to support their young people and school staff as they return to school after the summer break. It is a service which encourages prayer for local schools and those who attend them, and helps young people understand that God is not confined to church, but goes with them into the classroom.
Back to School with God Sunday resources are free to download, and easy for church leaders to use. An all-age service outline and accompanying PowerPoint slides are available, along with publicity materials so the service can be advertised to the local community. A 10-minute children's talk provides a short alternative for churches unable to commit to a whole Sunday service.
The theme of the 2015 Back to School with God Sunday service is the life of Peter, exploring how Peter took his first steps in following Jesus, fell out of step, then by receiving Jesus' amazing forgiveness, got back in step and kept following. Each point is related to the wider church family as well as the school context. Children and young people are invited to take part in the service by reading the Bible, leading prayers, sharing a testimony.
The hope is that churches will not just pray for and support children, young people, and those involved in education on one Sunday in the year, but will commit to ongoing, faithful prayer for their local school communities, registering such prayer with Pray for Schools.
Source: SU Scotland
Praying for our nation
17 Aug 2015
In this time of shaking in every area of our society, of high security alerts and financial uncertainty, let's be bold and declare the Supremacy of Christ in and over:
- Our police, security forces and COBRA.
- All who make decisions regarding our governance – local and nation; for the wisdom of Christ to guide those entrusted with financial decision-making.
- Our education system as the new school year begins.
- Every political party conference.
- All the discussions regarding the European Union. Use this declaration to pray over every area of the life of our nations.
We declare that Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, He is the Saviour of the world, He is the Head of the church, He is the Lord of our lives, He is the Hope for the world and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah.
Featured in WPC 'The Heartbeat' August 2015
Trumpet Call 2015 Special
17 Aug 2015
A richly diverse mixture of 2000 people from across the country came together to stand at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on July 4th for what many have described as an 'awesome' Trumpet Call day.
The morning started with Ian Cole the founder of WPC, who told us that we stood on a well of salvation – a site where tens of thousands had come to know Christ. He spoke of canals. They remind us of all the things that we do in our own man-made efforts. He told us that this is a time for rivers to be released – and for God's people to thirst for living water.
Ian called for a deeper understanding and experience of the supremacy of Christ. Jesus is Sovereign over every nation, He has all power and authority - but He is waiting for His people to pray with raised faith and expectation. Then we moved to proclaim the saving power of the cross - the cross disempowers all arguments and philosophies. Jesus is the only name by which men can be saved. The cross was carried into the centre of the hall and we lifted our hearts and voices to praise our Redeemer Jesus. The trumpet was blown throughout the day – with a clear distinctive sound - as we proclaimed key biblical truths and declared God's Will and purpose.
In the afternoon, we prayed for unity recognising how often we fail to build it – it needs to be a sovereign work of Jesus bringing His church together to release blessing. We moved on to pray that young adults and children would be released into their calling in the eight pillars of society – politics, business, media, church etc. We sensed God's heart for this revival generation, praying for their protection from the many dangers they face and for a powerful work of the Holy Spirit to release prayer and worship.
As we moved to close, we called a group of European prayer leaders onto the stage - sensing God's desire to bless our brothers and sisters across Europe and the nations they represent. There was a moving time when Germany prayed for Greece, demonstrating God's desire to impact the nations. We also prayed for two nations that have blessed the UK richly – Korea and Nigeria.
The event finished with a declaration. We felt this was a watershed moment – as Jesus mobilises His people to pray, proclaim and lift Jesus in their churches, villages, towns and cities. We have heard of the declaration being prayed across the country - and as far away as Sri Lanka. Many other ministries and organisations are standing with us and saying - this is a time for harvest, and a time for the fresh reviving waters of God's Spirit. The trumpet will continue to blow (see details of the European Trumpet Call). God is calling us into His presence, and we want to glorify Jesus as He refreshes us, changes us and brings thousands to know Him. Please let us have your testimonies and stories so we can say – look what the Lord has done!
We believe this is a time of change, release and blessing. You may have a sense of things changing in your village, town or neighbourhood. Is it time for a WPC team to pray alongside you? If you want to find out more, read What are WPC teams and contact us at WPC.
OUR DECLARATION
The Supremacy of Christ
We declare that Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, He is the Saviour of the world, He is the Head of the church, He is the Lord of our lives, He is the Hope for the world, and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!
The Salvation of Christ
We declare the Gospel of Christ, His life, death, resurrection and ascension is God's plan for the redemption of all mankind. We declare Christ and Him crucified; that Calvary is a place of forgiveness, cleansing, healing and victory over death. We declare it's time for harvest; a mighty move of God touching every part of this nation and our continent.
The Unity of God's Church
We declare that our strong desire is to fulfil the prayer of Jesus that we be one, believing the Scripture that, "When brothers and sisters dwell together in unity, there God bestows His blessing even life for ever more."
Release for our Children and Young People
We declare and prophesy a Jesus Generation of boys and girls, young men and women who will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing God's protection, mercy and blessing as they take the Gospel to their families, friends, communities and the nations.
We declare the Grace and Mercy of God over each other and from this place the Trumpet Sound to reverberate in every village, town, city and nation, "That the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Amen and Amen.
Featured in the WPC's 'The Heartbeat'
The city of Durango and La Plata County, Colorado, have declared a state of emergency after a federal cleanup crew accidentally released 1 million gallons of mine waste out of an abandoned mine area, turning the Animas River orange with pollutants of arsenic, lead, copper, aluminium and cadmium. The Environmental Protection Agency told locals to avoid the area amid grave concerns as to the ability of local elected officials to ensure that all appropriate levels of state and federal resources are brought to bear to assist the community not only in actively managing this tragic incident but also to recover from it. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have been watching for effects on wildlife since the incident began.
On Tuesday 47 traders were killed and at least 50 others injured when terrorists invaded the Sabon Gari community market of Damboa, 85 miles south of Maiduguri, during peak trading. The injuries from the blast are mostly ‘severe’ and the death toll is expected to rise. Borno State Police Command has said that Boko Haram is not winning the war and insurgents are fleeing to neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad in order to attack soft targets in the sub-region. Meanwhile on Wednesday, Chad's President Idriss Deby said that Boko Haram has a new leader. He said Abubakar Shekau had been replaced by Mahamat Daoud - who has not been heard of before. Mr Shekau has not featured in the group's recent videos, leading to speculation that he has been killed. Mr Deby, whose troops have been involved in battling Boko Haram, said Mr Daoud was open to dialogue. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33889378
Iraq: School for refugees
13 Aug 2015
Christian children forced to flee after the IS invasion, began school recently for the first time in a year. After fleeing their homes, families left everything behind, including access to schooling. In Iraq a local church leader and a mission agency partner noticed this need in their community, and because they believe education is important to the child, they began to dream of opening a school. Their goal was to begin with approximately 25 students. Church leaders prayed for a suitable location near a refugee camp and God showed them a nearby house with a big back-yard. Though it would need many renovations before it was safe, church leaders discovered that it would accommodate four classrooms with enough space for at least 20 students in each classroom, and a school was born. Across the Middle East most countries do not have the capacity to provide schooling for a sudden influx of thousands of children. Pray for more schools for refugees.
When the animated series The Legend of Korra ended its three-season run with the two heroines holding hands and dissolving into a mist – thus making explicit a lesbian love interest that hitherto had only been hinted at – children’s TV may have been changed forever. So claimed Vanity Fair arts writer Joanna Robinson, who enthusiastically lauded the finale of the show as the ‘most subversive television event of the year.’ But for Christian media watchers that lesbian fairytale ending was just the inevitable next step in a clearly discernible trend in America where there are more gay and transgender characters and stories in children’s television. Other examples include the Australian ‘gender-bending’ cartoon series SheZow featuring a 12-year-old boy who finds a ‘power ring’ that turns him into a girl, and an episode in Good Luck Charlie in which a lesbian couple bring their child over for a play date. Christian media watchers predict it will get worse because children’s TV is a reflection of what’s already in our culture.