Child Labour in Pakistan

1. PRAYER SERVICE REFLECTION CHILD LABOUR IN PAKISTAN BY ALI HAMZA

2. We begin with the Sign of Our Faith… In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Amen.

3. OPENING PRAYER Together: Worthy is the Lamb, The Lamb who was slain, who sits on the throne. Holy, Holy, Holy is He. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. To you we owe our life and our freedom. God of love and justice, we come to You this day, asking of Your help and presence. Ali: For You had sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ to come to this earth to model our way of life, yet our brothers are sisters, some even as young as 4 to 5 years of age, are tortured while at work all the time. Ali: You had asked us to love within unconditional terms, and we ask You to be near us today as we unite with our brothers and sister in troubled areas of Pakistan. Lord, Break the chains of every human soul and mind. God, as we remember those who are struggling and striving for their families, food and health care, extend your love and mercy to them, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, give strength and protection to the families of Pakistan, so that they would never feel the urge to give into their fears of death from poverty, taking them to the point where anything is possible. Class: May you, through the power of the Catholic community and the Catholic Church, lead the members of various international organizations to rescue the child slaves of Pakistan. Ali: Bless the Pakistani community and all Pakistani families so that they too can be a source of your light and love, as they make tough decision for their children each and everyday. For those that have done wrong, bring them to the path of repentance. AMEN

4. Reading From Scripture A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Ali: What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.(Matthew 18:12-14) The Gospel of the Lord (R) Praise be to you Lord Jesus Christ

5. GENERAL INTERCESSIONS We Pray for those that had been tortured through the use of Child Labour, May God plant a seed of freedom and strength in their hearts so that they too are able to enjoy the joys of life, as they too gain their liberation from oppression. WE PRAY TO THE LORD…LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER. We Pray for the families that see their children suffer and get tortured everyday, for their lives are compelled with anguish and misery. We ask that they experience Christ’s healing presence, rich in through our participation in the saving mission of Jesus. WE PRAY TO THE LORD…LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER. We Pray for those that are killed and tortured each day as they attempt to culminate this oppressive disaster. We ask that that we may be united with the power of the Holy spirit, in building a society in which everyone can live with dignity and hope. WE PRAY TO THE LORD…LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

6. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory I don’t know where i amThey’ve taken all that i hadSmuggled in for a lucrative tradeBeaten, barteredBroken in, until i obey I used to be childlikeInnocent and safe

7. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory Now I'm someone else's treasureA strangers pleasureSmothered in shame Succumbed with drugsBut I'm not numbAll I feel is painIs this all a dreamWill i ever be the same?

8. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory Can anyone hear me?Will anyone break these chains?Who will free me?I’m just a beautiful slave

9. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory My worst fear is my fateI'm getting older each dayEvery girl too old in yearsMysteriously just disappearsThey never mention her nameThey take away piece by pieceI don’t think i have any left

10. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory I've slowly given up all hope Given in to this sleepless bed Inside these bars I feel so seared By each new face How could this ever be Every memory be erased?

11. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory Can anyone hear me?Will anyone break these chains?Who will free me?From this dark place?Does God see me?What is his name?Will he help me?I’m just a beautiful slave

12. BEAUTIFUL SLAVEby Take no Glory He can hear youHe’s seeking you, He wants to heal youJesus knows the real youJesus loves the little childrenAll the children of worldRed & yellow, black & whiteThey’re precious in his sightJesus loves the little children of the worldHe’s got the whole world in his hands

13. CLOSING PRAYER Ali: Eternal God,with your endless mercy and inexhaustible compassion, we thank you for the opportunity of rejoicing with freedom today, and for learning the importance of human life and dignity. Eternal God, with the resurrection of Jesus and Your good news of love and compassion, you enlighten the world, and through the work of Your Spirit, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent. Help us to comply to your will, and realize that Children are a gift of your love, so that may conquer such torture and vicious treatments. Together: Saving God, give us the strength to conquer such evil, which takes root in the hearts of many people in Pakistan, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon us. O merciful Lord, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters live in darkness, and poverty. Give us a courageous heart, a bold voice and openness of mind, so that we are able to do our part in abolishing Child Labour. Lord, help us to me mediator of your peace, love and liberation We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord… Amen.

14. We end with the Sign of Our Faith… In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Amen.