How do we pray for the world? It is such a wide, wild, wonderful and sorrowful place. There are so many needs amidst all the blessings that it is hard to know where to start. Sometimes, especially in this time of financial loss due to the pandemic, the needs are so great that we cannot find words that seem adequate to cover the issues. In those situations, it may be that we should pray without words—through actions. Let’s take the issue of hunger for instance.
In some ways, it seems empty and futile to pray for people who are hungry. After all, how is a prayer going to satisfy someone’s hunger? But prayer can open our own hearts as we allow ourselves to fully focus on particular needs. And, as we pray, the Holy Spirit moves us toward ways that we can be an answer to our own prayers. So, here is a suggestion:
Pray regularly right after a meal, when your tummy is full, and you are well aware of your blessing of having enough to eat. Remember that a major portion of the global society does not know what that feels like. So, pray for those who are hungry—for the helpless children, the distraught parents, the poor laborers whose wages do not cover the most primitive basic human needs for their families. Pray for those too sick or disabled to procure sustenance even for themselves, much less for anyone else.
Pray for the affluent who do not know what it is like to even get hungry, since they have a constant array of snacks and beverages and meals to keep them satisfied ’round the clock. Pray for the governments and business leaders around the world who cater to the wealthy and whose goal is to pay their CEOs mega-salaries that would more than take care of the needs of the poor. Just the excess beyond their needs and reasonable wants could easily cover the needs of the rest of the world if shared. Such simple compassion and generosity would literally change the world.
Pray for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to wrestle with those who are neglecting the poor, both knowingly and unknowingly. That is, very possibly, you and me. We may unwittingly live our lives in ways that impact poverty in a negative way. Our choices have repercussions in places far and near. So, pray for the tangible ways you can help the poor and needy.
Jesus said, “You will always have the poor with you.” So, it is not a problem that will go away, and it is a complex challenge to choose a way to help in view of the widespread need. Since Jesus said we will never be done with this job, perhaps our take-away is that feeding the hungry should be woven into our lives every day—consistently praying and giving in small and big ways.
In His teachings, Jesus established that the words and warnings of the prophets still stand through the centuries—that it is every God-honoring person’s responsibility and the common-sense expectation that all humans who are not caught in poverty should help the poor. Quite simply, God expects us to do this. It is really not an option. Jesus makes that clear in His discourse recorded in Matthew 25.
The Judgment of the Nations
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (NRSV)
Clearly, praying is not enough, but it is our starting place, for it opens our hearts more and more as we pray. Writing a check is not enough, but it is a blessing to those who will benefit. Voting is not enough, and protesting to push for government action is not enough, but sometimes it is necessary in order to call attention to the need. However, using our own hands and resources to feed someone works! It is essential—not just recommended or requested—but commanded throughout the Bible.
So, let’s pray for the hungry of the world—and sometimes use words! By all means, use your heart, your head, your hands, and your resources. Pray by a change of lifestyle to make this an everyday habit. Decide that you will DECIDE today to do this, and confirm it by taking action. No matter how small it seems at the moment, it will help you confirm your intention.
Lord Jesus, guide us to have compassionate hearts, informed minds, open wallets, and ready hands to help the least among us, close by and in far-away places. Let us not rest until we do something to address the needs of the financially deprived as a regular life action. Grant us creative inspiration through the leading of your Holy Spirit, Amen.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
