A tight knit community can keep watch over those who are most vulnerable when they see injustice. In the verses below, God calls us to rescue the weak and the needy and deliver them from the hand of the wicked. He challenges us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy. God has put each of us in a community - maybe an apartment building, a neighborhood, a workplace, etc. Inside that sphere of influence, we are called to speak up and defend those who are being treated unfairly.

Psalms 82:4 - Proverbs 31:8-9

FIFTH KEY:

PRAYER FROM CHILD ADVOCATES AROUND THE WORLD

Human trafficking is the gateway to modern-day slavery. Currently, more than 30 million people live in slavery - more than any other point in history. It is today's disgrace. The gut-wrenching truth is this: 1.2 million children a year are trafficked into some form of forced labor (UNICEF). Worldwide, 2 million children are trapped in the commercial sex trade. At the very core, it's an insult to God Almighty, in whose image we are made. Beyond that, it's an affront to humanity's most basic Golden Rule - treat others the same way you want them to treat you (Luke 6:31).

God is aware of child trafficking and He cares about the suffering of His children. He has not turned a blind eye. Instead, He stirs compassion in our hearts when we hear stories.

As a result, our compassion moves us into action, which creates change.

Traffickers are often pros at deceiving families. They tell parents they can offer their children a better life. Instead, the children are sold into child labor. Children work for little to no pay, far from their home, completely hopeless. The verse below is from a passage in Ezekiel where God calls out the leaders of Judah for taking advantage of their power. He compares them to a shepherd who feeds on the sheep, rather than feeding them with love and care. God declares that He is the shepherd the people need! He will find up the injured and shepherd the flock with justice. He promises to bring a covenant of peace.

Ezekiel 34:16

Be devoted to one another in love. That's the challenge Paul gives us in the verses we read today. These verses are paired with a list of commands that, when taken together, paint a picture of a Christian life fully sacrificed to God. The unifying theme shares that we're to set ourselves aside in order to effectively love and serve the Lord.

Romans 12:9-13

In the midst of dark circumstances, many local churches are shining bright in communities who are fighting trafficking. In the verse below, the author describes "true religion" much differently than many people in our culture. He uses two examples. First, he explains it as "to look after orphans and widows." God has special concern for those most vulnerable, those who fall at the margins of society who fall at the margins of society who are often exploited. God claims to be the protector and James instructs us to follow His example. Second, "true religion" means keeping oneself from being polluted by the world. He doesn't say to remove ourselves from the world, but calls us away from the evil pollution found there. James explains that one acting faithfully enters the culture, but keeps oneself free from being polluted by it. What a joy to combine these two factors-to care for the widow and orphan and to share the love of Jesus with them. It is a tremendous blessing to love, serve, and protect the most vulnerable in this world and share the greatest Protector of all.

James 1:27 - Psalms 140:12