God our provider, as the cruelty of humanity’s actions towards one another breaks your beautiful creation, you remain unbroken. We are humble before you now and call to you for aid.
We pray now for the billions of people across the world who suffer under the oppressive yoke of poverty in all its forms.
We pray boldly for the radical transformation of their lives and circumstances.
As the northern hemisphere descends into winter, when shelter and heat are the difference between life and death, Lord, provide homes for the homeless and warmth for the unclothed. As those in the south prepare for the blistering summer, when the threat of famine and drought are ever present, Lord, unleash water to slake thirst and feed the fields for harvest.
Where conflicts plunge people further into despair and desperation, bring your resounding peace – that strategies might be written for growth and sustainability, instead of war and profit. We believe in miracles and pray with hopeful audacity that you will hear our petition for help and extend your hand to those in need.
Father, as we lift them before you now, hear our prayer.
Prayer against the powers and systems that keep people in poverty
God of everlasting peace – we ask for your swift and righteous justice. We acknowledge that poverty does not just happen, but that humanity’s selfishness has caused and continues to cause deep suffering. On this day, we ask you to bring joy to the world.
Rid us of the systems and powers that oppress and diminish the humanity of others.
Break us of our reliance on non-renewable resources that cause ecocide and increase famine, drought and natural disaster.
Rid us of world leaders who would rather line their own pockets, expand their borders and destroy those different to them, than see the people of their nations fed, clothed, housed and cared for. Where systemic racism and gender inequality create cycles of poverty and suffering, we pray for the ripping up of these unjust systems by the root. We pray for justice, we know you are made of it and it is made of you. As we open ourselves up before you on this day, we ask for new eyes to see each other as you see us, and for unity and peace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Prayer for the courage to fight injustice, to serve with kindness and to live in faith
God of everything, of the broad and the specific, we revel today in the knowledge that the hands which spun the planets into orbit also braided together our DNA. As you pour your grace over the enormous issues of our broken world, we ask that you also show grace to us. Forgive us for the times we have turned away from the issues of our world, and worse still, the times when we have contributed to them.
Embolden us with wisdom and courage to fight for those who suffer under the boot of poverty, to demand justice against the chains and masters who oppress and control, to cry freedom in the name of Jesus from the roofs of our homes and buildings, and from our communities of faith, institutions and programmes.
Fill us with love and kindness, grace and mercy, that we might be servants of a world in need.
Give us faith to remember that you are a God who parts oceans, causes mountains to tremble and raises the dead. Help us to be your people, a force for change, a force for good in this world. Do not allow us to be people afraid to fight. Do not allow The Salvation Army to be afraid to fight, but an Army with the surety of the Cross in our hearts. As we kneel in our hearts before you now, equip us. Make us ready.
Lord, hear our prayer.
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