Wednesday, August 15, 2012

2nd Quarterly Update


THIS IS A BATTLE CRY!
Join me in lifting up your voices

“There are people, vulnerable women and children, living in bondage here in Hampton, VA! They are living under abuse, manipulation, threat, and they are crying out for freedom, hope, and healing! The enemy has them trapped but as Christians are covered by the blood of the Lamb, and we have the power to demolish the stronghold Satan has over their lives. We can do this through our very presence; Satan quakes in the presence of God and God's spirit lives in US. We can also do this through our prayers; when we pray and declare victory, healing, hope, and release of the captives
we do it in Jesus' name and in His name there is power!

Join me in lifting our voices and tearing down the walls of oppression & bondage in Hampton; setting the captives free by first demolishing the power the enemy has over the victims, and then bringing in the victory of the Kingdom of God!

If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ, please join us Tuesday nights at 6:45 pm for the prayer walk. Or if you cannot join us, please remember the prayer team in your prayers today. Our prayer team is in GREAT NEED of your prayers of protection and direction! Thank you so much!
ALSO, if you know of any other prayer groups, it would be a HUGE blessing if they too could be lifting us up in prayer; for covering and protection! Please spread the word, we need your prayer, your support, and your presence at the walks! Thank you!!!”

In my first quarterly update I mentioned that Freeing Captives would be beginning prayer walks; and so I have.  This particular aspect of my ministry has been in motion since April of this year, and we have really seen God doing exciting things through this ministry.  The prayer walks take place in an area of town reported by the FBI as a hot spot for sex trafficking; where prostitution and drugs have also run rampant.  Our prayer walk team is made up of born again believers with a desire to see God’s Kingdom come and will be done, demolishing strongholds, and seeing captives set free through fervent prayer.  The prayer walks take a route along a certain street; lined with eight hotels and a couple bars.  We walk the route and pray as we feel led.  Before going out God generally reveals the marching orders to me in prayer.  It has been incredible to see how God continues to confirm His word as we go out into spiritual battle along the streets.  During the walk, through prayers, visions, words of knowledge, and more, we have become aware of specific strongholds of the enemy’s, have come against them, and have seen many of them crumbling.  Through prayer at each location, our team has become aware of people who are literally in bondage, of areas where a drug ring has run rampant, and have learned of individuals who are struggling with various forms of brokenness both spiritually and physically.  We have also had the opportunity to pray for various individuals we meet along the street; bringing them the hope of Jesus Christ through our conversation and our prayers. 
It has been so exciting to see how things have begun to shift since we first began the prayer walks.  Spiritually there has been a noticeable shift.  We are no longer treading on enemy territory, rather we have gained a stronger authority as we have been faithful and obedient to step out and take ground from the enemy and claim it for the kingdom of God.  We have seen hotels changing hands, a prostitution ring bust down the road, we have become more recognized and welcomed by people who work along our prayer route, and have had the opportunity to pray for numerous people by name and in person. 
Our prayer as we continue this ministry is that God would open doors so we may go into churches; sharing with the people of God, God’s passion for people bound by sex trafficking, our call to respond, and give the Church the opportunity to join in the ministry.  There has also been interest expressed by a couple justice ministries in surrounding cities; people desiring to begin prayer walks in the trafficking hot spot locations of their own cities.  So I have received requests to do the research and potentially help others begin prayer walks ministries in their cities as well.
Along with working to advance Freeing Captives Ministries and expand our outreach, I am also partnered with a couple justice ministries in nearby cities.  The connections and opportunities gained through these have been very valuable and encouraging.  I have partnered with Release Me Ministries in Chesapeake, VA and have had the privilege of assisting the founder in giving a number of presentations about Child Sex Trafficking in the USA to Educators; working towards prevention of slavery in this way.  It has been so exciting to see people learn about the issue and respond immediately and passionately; desiring to make a difference and take a stand.  Many of the responders are unbelievers, but how much more exciting it is to see the people of God rise up and respond.  Because in the end true healing for victims of sex trafficking is only found in Jesus Christ!
For this next quarter my prayer is that God would open doors and give me clear direction as to the next steps to take in the ministry.  I would love to see doors opened and connections made so that Freeing Captives could do training in Churches and send out the call for the People of God to respond; to see Christians obeying the call to speak up, seek justice, defend the weak, and set captives free!  So please join me in this prayer.  Freeing Captives is also in great need of prayer warriors willing and committed to covering our prayer team in prayers of protection, strength, discernment, and direction.
For those of you who are supporting me financially, thank you so much!  There is no way to fully express what a blessing your financial gifts are to this ministry.  As things continue to progress for Freeing Captives, know that you are partners in this ministry!  Thank you!  And thank you to those of you who have been supporting the ministry with your prayers.  There is no telling how many times I and the Freeing Captives prayer team has experienced spiritual breakthrough in battle due to your prayers and spiritual warfare!  I am so excited about the work God is doing, and trusting Him to continue to direct and open doors and Freeing Captives continues forward in ministry.  It will be so good to update you again next quarter about the work God continues to do through this ministry and your partnership.

May the Lord bless you and keep you!
    -Bethany-