​Praying Aunties Network

Praying Aunties was formed in 2007 after the heart of its founder  Linda Banks was changed simply by going to see the movie "Amazing Grace".  While searching the web for the sound track of the movie she began to notice advertisements about "Modern Human Slavery".  When she clicked on a link for Project Rescue she became introduced to the scope of the crisis.     On Poject Rescue's site she noted that there was a rescue home in Pune, the same town in India where her daughter is a missionary.  As she already had a trip planned to visit her daughter there, she planned to find  the home and to see first hand the scope and nature of the problem.   As God had planned it, the Project Rescue home was only 2 blocks from her daughter home in Pune, India - a city of 6-7  million people.  

During her meeting with the young married Indian couple who served at the safe home for 14 girls who had been rescued from the sex trade industry,  she asked what could she do to help. Their answer was "to pray".   Linda came home with the names of the 14 girls and she began to pray daily.  Soon she realized that she had taken on an enormous task and so she began praying for God to direct her path.   Soon after,  she awoke and heard clear direction from God instructing her to form a network of women who would pray - one woman for one girl and the group would be called "Praying Aunties" . The significance of the name "Auntie" is that in India, younger girls call older women by the name "Auntie",  as a term of respect.  So Praying Aunties was born.  Stepping out in obedience, Linda has seen the group grow from one group of 14 ladies, to more than 10 international groups, made up of ladies who are willing to  answer  God's call to pray!