Day 9: Praying for the Exploited

Pray for those, like Pharaoh, who exploit the vulnerable for commercial gain.

Many places where jobs are not closely regulated and where casual labor is commonly used, you have a chance to find humans being trafficked. Labor traffickers use violence, threats, lies and other forms of coercion to force people to work against their will. Just like in Egypt, the building or construction industry is one of the places we see it here in the United States. But it is in other areas, as well, like domestic servitude, farm work, sweatshop factory labor, janitorial, food service and other service industry labor, and begging. Often times the following businesses fall under both labor and sex trafficking: nail salons, massage parlors, spas, strip clubs, nightclubs and the list could go on and on. Almost anywhere you find business being transacted, there is a possibility of trafficking.

Pharaoh lied to Moses and to the people of Israel. He cared more about his gain than about their suffering. Each time Moses asked him to free God’s people, Pharaoh would agree, but would later retract his words and inflict harsher punishment to those he held in bondage. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33

Our hearts become hardened when we consider anything other than God and His ways. I have often prayed for the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His. I want to care more deeply for the afflicted and hurting; for the wounded and crushed; for the persecuted and dying; for the unsaved. But even in this, He is too gracious to give me all that I ask. In all of His sovereignty, He knows that I wouldn’t be able to stand it. In all of His love, He bears it for me.

He knows that it is impossible for us to bear all of the burdens that He bears for us; for all of the suffering He sees. Instead, He gives us glimpses of what breaks His heart so that our hearts can break too, just a little, and we can be transformed to be more like Him. Trafficking breaks His heart. Trafficking breaks my heart, too.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” - Proverbs 4:23

Do everything within your power to prevent your heart from hardening like Pharaoh’s. Stay humble before Him and in right fellowship with Him; read His Word and hide it in your heart; pray and give thanks to Him for all things. Be obedient in what He asks. Seek Him first above all else. Praise His holy name. And put on love - His love.

"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” - Ezekiel 36:26-27