Every Wednesday afternoon a group of men and women gather in an apartment in Kathmandu to pray for the thousands in Nepal and beyond who are affected by sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This group, anywhere from five to 15 people on any given week, is comprised of Christians from Nepal and other countries who are working against trafficking and sexual exploitation and/or who have a heart to intercede in prayer in this area.
From Nepal alone, it is estimated that 5,000 to 12,000 women and girls are trafficked annually into brothels in India and other countries and forced into the commercial sex industry. Within Nepal, there are suspected to be thousands working in dance bars and massage parlors that are fronts for prostitution. Additionally, there are thousands of children living in extreme poverty and on the streets who are at risk and sometimes victims of sexual exploitation at the hands of tourists and others. And yet, with over 50 organizations working in this area, the situation in Nepal has not seen any great change – hence the need for prayer. And, in the words of a group member who has served as a missionary in Nepal for two years, “Bringing things to God is the best way to do it, no matter what the problem.”
“When we look at the statistics and approach these problems from a human standpoint, it can be overwhelming,” said Shannon, group coordinator and ServLife staff member. “But we do not work for or pray to a God who is limited by human power and human plans. We know that Christ’s heart is to free the captives and bind up the brokenhearted, wherever they may be. And we know he wants us to be part of that process. We’re committed to prayer because we want our efforts to be in line with God’s heart and directed by His leading.”
For Bimala, who runs a home near Kathmandu for women and children rescued from brothels in Mumbai, many of whom are HIV positive, the prayer group has been a true blessing. “God leads this project,” she said, “But there are still many difficulties. I’ve been encouraged by these prayer meetings, by having others pray with me in the face of those difficulties.”
The group takes prayer trips to local ministries once a month and recently visited her home in order to pray personally with the women and children there. As experienced that afternoon, there is something supernatural about the unity and encouragement found when believers from all over the world join together in one room in prayer. Each Wednesday, these prayers will continue. We hope you’ll join from afar in praising and petitioning the One True God on behalf of the victims of and the workers laboring against these evils.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12