Source: CNN

“Mauritania’s endless sea of sand dunes hides an open secret : An estimated 10% to 20% of the population lives in slavery… In 1981, Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery. Activists are arrested for fighting the practise. The government denies it exists.”

Writes journalist John Sutter in his award winning “Slavery’s last stronghold”. We\’ve tweeted and facebooked this link before, but the entire article, with it\’s beautiful and poignant accompanying photos and video, is well worth reading.

Mauritania’s struggle with slavery has been frequently in the news headlines in recent months when one of its leading abolitionists, Mr. Biram Dah Abeid, won the UN Human Rights Prize in December 2013.

As I’ve read the news and prayed for Mauritania, I’ve often found myself drawn to these Scripture verses:

I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. Ps. 119:45,46

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ Isa. 49:9

Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:21,22

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Eph. 1:6-8

But when someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Cor. 3:16-18

Here are two songs to listen to today as you pray for Mauritania. Let the words of the songs, and these verses above lead you in your prayers for this nation of North Africa.

Josh Upton – Freedom Reigns or Bethel Live- Freedom Ft. William Matthews