Creator of all things, King of the Universe, I praise you for the wonderful creation you have made, in which you have displayed your infinite wisdom, glorious creativity, almighty power, and love of beauty and complex design.
I praise you also that you are a holy judge. When Adam and Eve rebelled against your law, you cursed your creation so that while it still bears abundant testimony to your creative goodness, it is now a continual reminder to us, as sinful descendants of Adam and Eve, of our high treason against you.
You have said in your holy Word that, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him” (Proverbs 14:31) and “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered (Proverbs 21:13) and “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9). And both Paul and James in the New Testament command us to remember the poor and do good to them (Galatians 2:10) and not to show partiality to the rich (James 2:1-17).
I confess, Lord, that I have often not been as concerned for the poor as I should be or that I have failed to act on my concern. Please forgive me and show me ways that I can do better in the future.
I pray for all those who are working, often in dangerous places due to crime, civil unrest, terrorism and war, to alleviate the suffering of the poor by providing food, shelter, clean water, education and training to obtain knowledge and skills that will enable them to work and improve their economic state. Give those aid workers strength in the task. Give them also wisdom and courage in how to influence local and national government policies that contribute to poverty and injustice.
I pray too for Christians ministering to the poor that you will give them the sensitivity and wisdom to share the Good News of Jesus so that the poor can not only have their physical needs met but can find forgiveness of their sins through Jesus Christ and be changed by His grace to eliminate some of the behaviors that may be contributing to their own poverty.
I pray all this in Jesus Name and for His glory. Amen.
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