In a press conference today, First Lady Cecilia Abbott announced that the Governor's Response Against Child Exploitation (GRACE) initiative will host the fourth annual Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking from January 8 through January 14, 2024. This initiative, coinciding with Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Texas, aims to mobilize the faith-based community in a collective effort to combat human trafficking.

The Week of Prayer will kick off with a virtual interfaith event on Monday, January 8, at 7:00 pm on Facebook. The event will feature notable speakers, including First Lady Abbott, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Stephanie Muth, Child Sex Trafficking Team Administrator Janet Kasper, DFPS Human Trafficking Director Blanca Denise Lance, and survivor-leader and advocate Karla Solomon. The Fountain of Praise Church in Houston Co-Pastor Dr. Mia Wright will lead a prayer intention during the event.

Daily Prayer Intentions for the Week of Prayer have been outlined:

• Monday, January 8: Pray for all those currently being exploited to find safety and healing.
• Tuesday, January 9: Pray for all those who are vulnerable to receive the help, love, and support necessary to meet their needs and not fall victim to human trafficking.
• Wednesday, January 10: Pray for an end to demand and societal factors that normalize exploitation.
• Thursday, January 11: Pray for protection from online dangers and for caregivers to be equipped to keep their children safe.
• Friday, January 12: Pray for Texans to have the courage and skills to speak up and intervene when they see behavior that puts others at risk.
• Saturday, January 13: Pray for every child to have access to safe, supportive mentors and role models.
• Sunday, January 14: Pray for discernment on the actions you can personally take to prevent human trafficking.

First Lady Abbott emphasized the importance of unity and action, urging Texans of all faiths to participate in the Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking and contribute to the collective effort to eliminate this heinous crime.

Launched in 2019, GRACE is a collaboration between the Office of the Texas First Lady, the Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team, DFPS, and a diverse group of faith leaders across Texas that works together to develop effective strategies to end human trafficking.