Backyard PrayerScot Bower - 25 Oct 2010
Terms like 'Sex Trafficking' and 'Teen Prostitution' are best avoided in polite conversation, at least if you want to avoid an awkward silence at the dinner table. On the rare occasions they are spoken of it's usually in regard to some far flung nation, Thailand or Mexico perhaps, somewhere 'Over There'.
Have you noticed how the worst of humanity only ever seems to happen 'Over There'? From violent crime to racism most of us protect and distance ourselves by removing any affront to our neighbourhood. Yet as Christians we are called to confront evil where we see it. If we forever distance ourselves and refuse to acknowledge what's going on around us how can we ever be that light which dispels the darkness?
The truth is that sex trafficking and teen prostitution are real life horrors that exist, and need confronting, the world over. Source Boiler Room in Minneapolis have taken these unmentionable atrocities and are speaking their names on the street and in the Prayer Room, not pointing their fingers at distant countries but addressing the truth that sex trafficking is both a global and a local issue. They are mid way through a 48 day season of awareness and prayer around these issues that effect us all wherever we might live. Confronting the 'Over There' lie the initiative is named 'Our Own Backyard' and seeks to raise local awareness of a local problem in towns and cities all over the world.
As part of this season Source are hosting 2 evenings of Awareness, Prayer & Action. Hosted and streamed on the internet, college campuses, house gatherings and church groups are invited to join the evenings. Over 20 sites have signed up already and they are inviting you, wherever you are and however many you may be to join them. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
The evenings held on the 2nd and 3rd November will be full of worship, prayer and story telling. Aaron White from the Vancouver Boiler Room and Kelly Tietsort who pioneered the 24-7 Prayer Boiler Room in Reynosa, Mexico (if you haven't already I'd recommend watching the story of Boystown in the 24-7 Short film Prayer as Justice) will be interviewed about their experiences of living at the crux of prayer, mission and justice but there will be plenty of opportunity for interaction across the sites.
For more details and to sign up visit the Source website.