Prayer for Young Women and Girls Forced Into Early Marriages

 Scripture: 

Romans 8:18, 26   Suffering in Silence
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Devotion

It is well known today that thousands of young girls are being forced into servitude and arranged marriages throughout our country and our world.  The lives that they are leaving behind are nothing compared to what they are going into against their will.  They are not allowed to be children anymore.  The idea of playing games, school or having the normal girly lifestyle is no longer a possibility.  They are forced to leave their families, mothers, fathers and siblings.  Some families are compensated financially but others are just taken without any regard for the family.  These marriages are not according to the word of God.  The suffering that is being endured causes them to internalize all of the pain and suffering.  As the scripture proclaims this suffering sometimes may be unbearable but the Glory that will be manifested through Christ will be revealed.  This imprisonment is not of God, not of Christ and has no spiritual basis at all.  The evil that is perpetrated on these young girls is unspeakable.  For their sake, they remain silent.  They cry to the Lord in their groanings to the Spirit.  

The Lord hears them as clearly as He hears us when we pray out loud.  Their families may be in danger, if they complain out loud.  The lives are in jeopardy if they are resistant to their captors.  But we know the power of Prayer!

Prayer

Dear Yahweh Lord, Jehovah, we come to you on behalf of our sisters who can’t speak for themselves. They are fearful for their lives and the lives of their love ones.  We lay out before you and cry Abba Father, our Provider, give them strength.  We cry from our inner most parts. Jehovah-Raah, be their shepherd and guide them through these valleys of darkness.    We cry from the depths of our soul.  Jehovah Rapha, please heal and deliver them.  We intercede with moaning and groaning that connects us to the Holy Spirit on their behalf.  We may be free but are not truly free in our minds so we cry out for ourselves too. Father give them all the peace that will sustain them and help them to endure.  Jehovah Nissi , we ask for divine intervention with their captors that they may  see YOU in them and allow them to be set free.  Jehovah Shammah, You Oh Lord are there with them, protecting them and strengthening their minds and bodies to endure.  Jehovah Jireh, continue to provide their every need.  We thank you in advance for hearing, delivering and being just that kind of Lord God Almighty.  In Jesus name.  AMEN.

Submitted By:

Evangelist Valerie Bates

Newman A.M.E. Church

Pontiac Michigan

Michigan Conference

4th District