Pray for people affected by poverty

“Let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair.
Help us, O God of our salvation!”
Psalm 79:8

It’s hard to imagine that nearly half of the people in our world live on less than $2 a day. Most of us can’t begin to understand that kind of poverty.

The Bible repeatedly shows God’s tender heart for the poor and forgotten people of our world. We can share that compassion as we pray and work to lift the load of those bent down by poverty.

Here are some suggestions for how you can pray for the poor:

1. Ask God to provide food, shelter, water, and health to those without income or resources.

2. Ask God to touch your own heart, making you sensitive to the needs of the poor.

3. Thank God that many people who are poor by the world's economic standards are rich in spiritual things.

4. Pray that churches serving those affected by poverty will be able to provide spiritual comfort and physical help to people in their communities.

5. Pray that God will touch the hearts of political leaders to make decisions in the best interests of the poor.

6. Pray that God will protect those who are poor from abuse and exploitation by others who have greater power or resources.

7. Ask God to call His people to demonstrate His love for the poor—both in our own communities and around the world.

8. Pray that God will help the poor gain the understanding and power needed to improve their own circumstances.

"Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless."
Psalm 82:3-4

Prayer makes a difference.