Event Details
Our band will be doing three songs alongside fellow bands and singer-songwriters battling against child sexual abuse and human trafficking. I am excited to have these talented musicians with me! From the left: Matt Standeven on drums, Madeline Reopcke on vocals, myself just on vocals for this one, Jeremy Bossard on piano and vocals, and my husband, Michael Breece, on guitar.
From My Heart
I confess, I have had second thoughts about doing this blog post. How can I capture the depth of my thoughts and feelings, the pain and suffering that children and adults carry as consequences of being sexually abused as a child—myself included?
For me, I compare what I went through to others and think mine was a pittance compared to their trauma. But even still, it has taken me years to heal and build trust in God and others, to consider myself not as a victim (even subconsciously), but as a child of God—one who has suffered, but who through it all has been loved deeply and transformed powerfully by grace.
May God move among us, bringing healing and eternal hope.
Let's Pray
Abba, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the one who created heaven and earth with you (Genesis 1:2), the one who calls little children to himself (Matthew 19:14). We lift up to you children—past, present, and future—who have been sexually abused. Our hearts grieve for their pain and loss. We ask for your help, that they would not remain in a pit of despair and hopelessness, or in any shame or guilt. We pray that they would be children who come to Jesus, to know our Lord, who is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV). We pray for Battle4Children Charities and those who are your hands and feet in caring for and loving these children. Provide for all of their needs. Bring skilled workers and volunteers (Luke 10:2). Cut through any red tape that would stop a child from getting help. We remember that it is not against flesh and blood when there are delays, funding cuts, or anything else of this world, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12 ESV). So we take up your full armor, God, and we put it on piece by piece as we prepare for this event, as we pray for the children, their families, the workers, and all the people who are touched by similar circumstances. And we pray. And we stand. We stand firm and keep alert, asking for your help to persevere in doing so, so that we can keep praying (Ephesians 6:13-18). We pray to you, our God of hope, asking that you would fill these children and their families with all joy and peace as they trust in you (O, that they would trust in you with all of their heart, not leaning on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6)), so that they would overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, the One in whom we are strong, in the strength of his might (Ephesians 6:10 ESV). Amen.