PRAYER DIARY A L A B A S T E R J A R

2019 PRAYER DIARY A L A B A S T E R J A R

"Love is never stationary" (Bob Goff, Love Does) Since 2006, Alabaster Jar Berlin has been sharing the love and grace of Jesus with men and women trapped in the sex industry. Our vision is a world free from sexual exploitation. We believe that the only solution is the Gospel of Jesus which brings healing and restoration, transforms lives, and restores dignity. This year, we ask you to commit to enduring with us in prayer, believing that the Lord can and will end sex slavery in Germany. We believe that prayer is the greatest way we can begin to make a change. OUR VALUES Gospel-centered: we are committed to communicating the Good News of Jesus Respectful: we walk patiently and faithfully alongside the women in their life s journey Affirming: we affirm value in all people Compassionate with consistency: we build trust and persevere where others might give up Enduring in prayer: we call on God to change impossible situations THANK YOU FOR JOINING WITH US IN PRAYER TO SEE LIVES TRANSFORMED!

JANUARY For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) CONTEXT: January is a time of renewing and refocusing our visions for the future. For many of the women we work with, their future looks very bleak and hopeless. They feel trapped where they are, and cannot imagine next year looking any different from the last. PRAY: Lord, we pray for each precious woman who feels as though she has no future. Lord, would you plant within her seeds of hope for a better life. Would you reveal YOUR vision and purpose for her: a future of hope and of promise, filled with blessings and joy. ACT: Consider the ways you can get involved with Alabaster Jar this year whether through praying, giving, or volunteering your time and expertise. What has God put in your hands? Make sure to follow Alabaster Jar Berlin on social media to stay connected this year too!

FEBRUARY The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV) CONTEXT: In Berlin alone, there are about 8,000 individuals working in the sex industry. In Germany, there is an estimated 400,000, and 600+ brothels in operation. Many are women who come from backgrounds of abuse and loveless homes. PRAY: Lord, we pray for each woman who feels as though she is not worthy of love. We know that each one is priceless to you. Lord, would you allow Alabaster Jar to be your hands and feet as we seek to encourage, support, and lift these women up. Lord, shower your blessings on our three Valentine outreaches occurring this month. May each outreach powerfully communicate the women s great worth and your loving heart. ACT: Get educated! This month, gather your friends together to learn more about the issue of sexual exploitation. Nefarious is a fantastic film which shares real-life, inspirational testimonies of how Jesus is actively seeking the restoration of both women and men in the sex industry.

MARCH He [God] executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19 ESV) CONTEXT: About two thirds of women in the sex industry in Germany come from Eastern European countries. Many are uneducated and don t know how to read or write in their own language, much less in German. They face many language barriers, including the inability to negotiate well with their customers, which compromises their safety. Many women come from backgrounds of poverty, and are expected to sacrifice themselves to support their families back home. They are in so many ways strangers in a foreign land. PRAY: Lord, we know that you love the sojourner, you clothe the foreigner, and you lead weary travelers home. We pray for each woman who feels alone and afraid. Reveal yourself to her as her Provider. Lord, we praise you that you can speak each woman s heart language. Speak to her heart, we pray, and lead her home to you. ACT: Alabaster Jar is looking for volunteers who speak the heart languages of these beloved women (namely Hungarian, Bulgarian, Romanian, and/or German)! If you speak any of these languages, contact us! If you know anyone who does, contact them!

APRIL They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (Isaiah 61:3-4 NIV) CONTEXT: We believe that Jesus came to offer life in all its fullness, and that transformation is possible! Whilst the road to exit and recovery is often a long, complicated and traumatic process for the women, our commitment is to walk patiently them, to actively encourage positive steps towards an alternative lifestyle and to persevere where others might give up. PRAY: Lord, we know that where seeds are sown, you are the One to water them. We ask that you would bless all of our Easter Outreaches this month, and that you would use our team to impact hearts and lives for your kingdom. We pray for sustained change that ripples through communities and that women would one day return as living testimonies to minister to their very own. ACT: Book Alabaster Jar to give a talk at your church, small group or workplace. Help us engage the community!

MAY For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (Psalm 72:12-14 NIV) CONTEXT: Many of the women we meet on the streets of Berlin have children. Many are forced to live far away from their kids, while some have had multiple abortions and others are still working while pregnant. And when these women engage with us, like any mother, their faces light up as they share stories and show us photos of their children. PRAY: Lord, thank you that you are near to those who are brokenhearted. Thank you that you understand a mother s cry for her child. We lift up the women who find themselves in particularly precarious situations those who are pregnant, are struggling with addiction or illness, are sleeping on the streets, or find themselves in abusive relationships. May they experience the unconditional love you have for them as their heavenly father. May they understand that YOU see THEM with the same eyes of great love that they have for their children. ACT: Encourage our team by leading us in a short devotion, worship or prayer before outreach.

JUNE But how can people call for help if they don t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? (Romans 10:14-15 MSG) CONTEXT: Some of the main barriers to the women coming to faith in Jesus are cultural misconceptions of who God is, and feelings of mistrust and shame. Some have never heard the Gospel and for others the reality of their situation makes it extremely difficult to imagine a God who would desire a relationship with them or care enough to help them. PRAY: Lord, we know that you gave your life to draw all people to yourself. Your mercy triumphs over judgment. You are slow to anger and rich in love. We pray for a softening of hearts, and for eyes and ears to be opened to the Good News of Jesus that they might see you and come to understand how loved and valued they truly are. We pray for lasting transformation amongst the women, their traffickers and pimps, and the clients. ACT: Would you prayerfully consider giving monthly to support and further the work of Alabaster Jar? Thank you for helping us build strong and continue our work!

A poem dedicated to the women we serve on the streets of Berlin... God s Precious Child God saw you when you were made In the darkness of your mother s womb He brought every cell together To make you uniquely YOU! There is no one else in the world like you And God watches over you every day He has promised never to leave you alone No matter what you do or say. He sees you in your situation And He loves you just the way you are You can come to Him and ask for His help He works through the girls in Alabaster Jar. You are so precious to God And He wants to be your friend So He sent His only Son Jesus to die for you To show you His love for you will never end. When you give your life to Jesus He takes your past away He gives you a brand new start in life And He walks with you every day. ~ Dawn Armstrong

JULY The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40 NIV) CONTEXT: Every week we have teams of volunteers going onto the streets, serving in our café and visiting the women in brothels. We start every outreach with a time of prayer, devotion and worship, seeking God for the women, the pimps, and clients, as well as for our protection. We ask God to use us to bring his kingdom on earth to those in darkness. We believe in the power of showing up consistently, and we are committed to coming alongside the women wherever they are at. PRAY: Lord, we thank you for the team who so faithfully pour out their lives, some enduring for many years, even when they do not see the progress they deeply desire. We pray that you will strengthen and encourage those who are weary, and that you will inspire, sustain and grow the team at Alabaster Jar. We also pray for your protection, great perseverance, and faith for the impossible. ACT: Get in touch to arrange an outreach visit or volunteer your skills behind the scenes!

AUGUST Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV) CONTEXT: Prostitution in Berlin is not new; in fact it is very, very old. The streets where the women stand each night have been famous for prostitution for generations. Prostitution, and therefore sexual exploitation, is very normalized in the culture of our city. PRAY: Lord, we ask for your favor for Berlin. We know that you see those who are vulnerable and marginalized, and your heart is to protect and care for them. May people s hearts be softened and filled with compassion for the women on the streets. By your grace and power, may our society stand up with a new outrage at an old evil. We ask that you would fill hearts with love, truth, integrity, and justice, and that Berlin would care for its most vulnerable. ACT: Get YOUR community involved: talk to your small group, business, neighbors. Have conversations about prostitution and justice in Berlin. Encourage them to get involved with Alabaster Jar.

SEPTEMBER So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 NIV) CONTEXT: When working in this context, it is easy to experience anger or unforgiveness towards the pimps and the customers. But we know that it is not only the women who are in bondage to this work - it is also the men. They too need freedom and healing. PRAY: Lord, it is easy for us to be filled with anger against the pimps and the customers who feed the demand for sexual exploitation. But we know that your heart is filled with love and compassion not only for your daughters, but also for your sons. You know their stories. You know what brought them to this place. And your heart longs to be reunited with them. Rescue your sons, Father. May they too find healing and freedom from bondage. May they too find total life transformation in Jesus. ACT: Ever heard of DIY fundraising? This month, think up some creative ways to raise money for Alabaster Jar! Host a pancake breakfast, have a clothing swap, or run a marathon! The Berlin Marathon takes place on 29th September. Campaign and run for Alabaster Jar!

OCTOBER Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise, says the Lord; I will place him in the safety for which he longs. (Psalm 12:5 ESV) CONTEXT: In Berlin alone there are estimated to be 8,000 individuals working in the sex industry and over 600 brothels. In Germany, the numbers rise to approximately 400,000 individuals and 3,500 brothels. It is therefore no surprise that Germany has been named Europe s biggest brothel. The statistics alone are frightening, but the amount of pain, trauma, addiction, and hopelessness that exists behind those numbers is unimaginable. PRAY: Lord, there are times when evil seems too great, and our prayers seem too small. But we pray not with our own power, but with YOURS, which is greater than any evil this world has seen. And in your power, we declare freedom over the captives and healing over all brokenness. We ask that you would raise up servants and leaders who will bring justice where there is none. Lord, would you break every chain, and would you set the captives free. ACT: This month, on October 19th, A21 s annual Walk for Freedom will take place. This is a very powerful way to stand up and raise awareness of trafficking and sexual exploitation. Alabaster Jar will be walking together, so if you are in Berlin, JOIN US! If not, sign up in your own city and encourage your friends to get involved!

NOVEMBER Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9 ESV) CONTEXT: We have big dreams at Alabaster Jar - dreams to grow, to make a significant impact on our city, and to see stories of great and lasting transformation. And it is YOUR support that will enable us to do this. Financially, we rely entirely on donations from individuals, churches, and organizations. And it is your time volunteered, prayers, and encouragement that speaks life into our ministry and gives us new hope each day. PRAY: Lord, we praise and thank you for the community of people you have placed around Alabaster Jar. We thank you for your provision, and for giving and renewing our hope and power each day. We ask, God, that in this coming season, hearts would be moved by our ministry to give. May we all look to you in this time and ask you, Lord, what have you given me, that you would have me give? ACT: Giving Tuesday is coming up on December 3rd! Check Alabaster Jar s social media to find out the best way to give to us on Giving Tuesday. Next month, we also have our three Christmas outreaches, and preparations are well underway! Donate gifts that we can hand out to the women. Or sign up to bake treats!

DECEMBER But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5 NIV) CONTEXT: To many of the women we work with, there is nothing special about Christmas. It is just another season to be working on the freezing cold streets of Berlin. Many are homeless, and the streets are their homes. Many use drugs as a way to cope with homelessness, the depression, and the cold. PRAY: Jesus, Emmanuel, you came to earth to be with us. You were not scared by darkness, by hunger, by sickness, by pain. You were actually drawn to it. And not only did you dwell with us in our pain, but you came to save us from it. We pray in this season that the women would find You not as a distant God, but as God that is right beside them. A God whose purpose is to RESCUE them. Breathe life and power into us as we minister to them in this season. May our Christmas outreaches be a blessing to their hearts and a clear picture of what the rescuing power of your love looks like. ACT: This winter, donate warm clothing to Alabaster Jar so we can bless the women. As we wrap up our Christmas season and prepare for the new year, consider becoming monthly financial partners with us in 2020.

Lives transformed. Dignity restored. Alabaster Jar e.v. Bei Hope Apartments Linienstrasse 214 10119 Berlin Become a regular supporter or give a one-off donation: IBAN: DE68 3706 0193 6005 4040 19 BIC: GENODED1PAX office@alabasterjar.de www.alabasterjar.de Non-profit organization registered with the local court Berlin-Charlottenburg. Registration number: VR27744 B Tax ID: 27/660/61762