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In memory of St Josephine Bakhita, Patron Saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, please find a selection of prayers for this week, to pray for those affected or oppressed by slavery and human trafficking. 

Pope Francis, 2018
St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child and endured
untold hardship and suffering. Once liberated from your physical enslavement,
you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church.
O St. Bakhita, assist all those who are trapped in a state of slavery;
Intercede with God on their behalf so that they will be released from their chains of
captivity. Those whom people enslave, let God set free.
Provide comfort to survivors of slavery and let them look to you as an example
of hope and faith. Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. We ask for
your prayers and intercessions for those enslaved among us.
Amen.

The Clewer Prayer
Lord of the lost, we pray today for all those who are victims of modern slavery:
people lured from their homes and families;
people deceived while trying to find a better life;
people who are desperate to trust anyone.
Help us to be more vigilant and watchful;
to be aware of those who may need our help, and those who do not know where help may lie.
Amen.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the life of St Josephine Bakhita and for the hope that her life continues to give for those rescued from exploitation. We pray for all safe houses and places of safety across the world, particularly remembering in prayer guests in Caritas Bakhita House, the Medaille Trust and Love 146. We pray that their journey of recovery is blessed by many with the expertise supporting physical and mental health recovery and spiritual wellbeing. 

Amen.

Heavenly Father, we make our prayer for those who are enslaved or vulnerable to slavery, for whom the pandemic has affected their lives in new and profound ways. Open our eyes and hearts to a greater awareness and action –
For children and young people for whom social isolation has increased their vulnerability to grooming and abuse.
For communities in Bangladesh, in South & South East Asia where mass unemployment, and high debt has created opportunities for traffickers.
For livelihoods destroyed by social restrictions which may have pressed people into bonded labour for survival.
For children who are further at risk of being sent out to work as their schools are closed and destitution is a reality for their families.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God

We call to you with hearts in pain for all in our world

who suffer the horrors of modern slavery;

for all who dream of a better life in another place 

only to be trapped, tricked and traded;

for all those who labour, forced and unseen, to make our everyday possessions;

for all who agonise for loved ones lost into this trade in humans.

Your Son came to bring good news to the poor and freedom for the oppressed – 

May we too be voices against oppression, channels of good news;

May our eyes be opened wide to all who suffer in our midst but out of sight.

All this we pray to you, loving God, for whom no one is invisible.

Amen.