She Loves Out Loud: Overcoming Trauma

By Nancy Flory Published on November 5, 2019

On February 15, 2020, She Loves Out Loud prayer movement will be hosted by churches and small groups nationwide. It is a time for women to pray in unity for the healing of hearts, for the future of children and for America. Started by Diane Strack, She Loves Out Loud will host Christian leaders at strategic locations across the U.S. For more information, visit SheLovesOutLoud.org.

The Stream is profiling some of the women — women like you and me — who will be taking part in what is destined to be a powerful and profound day. 

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“Prayer is the difference between thriving above the circumstances and what we endured with peace, versus bitterness and anger that so often are passed down to the next generation, and at the core of our relationships.” Christa Lynn, a second-generation sex trafficking survivor, spoke with The Stream about what prayer means to her. “I just know first-hand that seeking out the peace of God in prayer and in community in prayer with other women is the answer to healthy communities where women can heal from trauma.”

At 29 years old, Christa was strung out on drugs. She had a history of trauma and being sex trafficked. She knew she needed help, so she left her baby daughter with her daughter’s dad and his parents. She entered a year-long drug treatment program.

Learning to Pray

It wasn’t the program itself that changed Christa. The on-site counselor worked with Christa to figure it out. “She helped me understand that it was the underlying sex-related traumas that became the catalyst for the drug addiction, and that was just an instant catalyst to healing, to starting off on that healing journey.” Christa said it was a difficult year, but she came away from the experience with two things. First, she was taught how to start each day praying and reading God’s Word. She began to pray for those around her. “When you have a life of prayer, your own problems seem less when you’re starting off each day praying for others.”

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Second, she focused less on herself and more on God’s will for her life. Through her prayer time, she heard God speak to her. “I felt the Holy Spirit’s conviction calling me to counsel women and confirming my life’s purpose to help women and children who’ve come from hardship.”

One More Child

Christa soon went from praying for others to taking action. Praying for others is “beautiful,” said Christa. But “through the prayer life I was persuaded by God to do something.” She first founded Into the Jordan, a Christ-centered wellness program for those who have been sex trafficked.

After about a year, she realized that southwest Florida had a need for direct services. She left Into the Jordan to its very knowledgeable staff and board, and joined One More Child as the Executive Director of Anti-Trafficking. One More Child exists through its various programs to “share with children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned the protective and healing love of Jesus.”

“I’m so grateful to have started Into the Jordan. I love the work they’re doing. I’m so proud of them, but from coming from my story, it feels so meaningful and right to be with an organization that is hitting the whole of what affects us before we’re trafficked.”

Christa also recently joined up with Diane Strack through She Loves Out Loud to pray for the end of sex trafficking and to pray for healing for those who have been affected by it. 

She Loves Out Loud

“When I first heard of the She Loves Out Loud prayer movement, my heart leapt for joy,” Christa said. “As a survivor of childhood trauma, I watch a hurting world of trauma survivors … turn to anger and bitterness. And from that place, continue in cycles and patterns that do not allow for healing, nor for the relational abundance we so long for. This movement offers a community where women can come together, spurring each other on to a connected prayer life where the healing peace of God reigns.”

She strongly believes that though there’s hurt and anger over trauma, there also can be healing. “Through prayer to God we can have healing and peace and comfort,” she explained. “We can take that healing and peace and comfort and love on other women so that they don’t have a root of bitterness. That is what I would want to see happen with [She Loves Out Loud].”

 

Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.

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