God never intended righteousness to be a passive state of mind; He designed it to include a relentless pursuit of justice. Being righteous is a gift from God, but it also includes an active expression. At its heart, righteousness describes our alignment with God’s character, while justice is how that alignment translates into practice.

Every year on July 4th, Americans gather to celebrate freedom. We celebrate the blessings that come with living in freedom—the ability to make our own choices, pursue our dreams, worship according to our beliefs, and live without being owned or controlled by another person. For millions of women and girls around the world, freedom is not something they take for granted. In fact, many have never truly experienced it. While many of us celebrate independence this month, countless women and girls remain trapped in situations they cannot escape on their own.

This month invites us to feel the tension between celebration and sorrow as we observe both the National Day of Prayer and Mother’s Day. It calls us to remember and intercede for mothers trapped in human trafficking—women who are seen and loved by God even in the darkest places. As we pray, let our hearts be awakened to both compassion and action, trusting God to bring freedom, healing, and hope.