PA G E 1 O F 8

Thank you, God, for bread.Give bread to those who are hungry,and hunger for justice to those of us who have bread.Thank you, God, for bread. Amen.

— Latin American prayer

LovinG God, in your grace you have gathered us at this time and in this place to hear the word you are speaking this day in the voice of people who are hungry and poor. Open our hearts and minds to the power of that word. May we see with your eyes the vision of a world that knows no borders, no boundaries, no fear, but invites us again to live together the promise of abundance which is both your gift and your promise. We ask this in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns united in the love of your Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

HungerPraying about

PA G E 2 O F 8

Gracious God, your name is justice; your name is love. Continue to grace us and strengthen us to grow in your likeness. Make the cause of food security our cause and draw us more closely to you and to all whom you love. Help us to act with courage, with faithfulness, and with compassion this day and every day. We ask this in the name of your only Son, who lives and reigns with you, united in the love of your Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

oh God, Lover of aLL you have made, walk with us and lead us more deeply into your mystery. Let us touch others and make tangible in their lives, in some small way, the gift of knowing that there is enough for all, more than enough. We ask this in the name of your only Son, who lives and reigns with you, united in the love of your Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

LovinG God, you came to us as a vulnerable child, entrusted to a mother denied shelter and rest. Although you are the sovereign of the world, you come again and again to us in the children of this world. Because they are your own, you make them our own. Attune our hearts to know the depth of this mystery and this gift, and make us one with them and with you. We ask this in the name of the One who became flesh and dwelt among us, and now dwells and reigns again united with you in the love of your Holy Spirit, always and forever. Amen.

Gracious God, lover of all whom you have made, we place before you this day the hopes and dreams of all children — those we can name and those we cannot. We promise you, we will keep them in our hearts, prayers, and actions until the day that no child will beg for food, weep for water, or cry out for a loving touch. As Jesus said to let the little children come to him, we ask you that we might be Jesus for a child who is hurting. Amen.

“Make the cause of food security our cause and draw us more closely to you and to all whom you love.”

PA G E 3 O F 8

o God, you have Given us your promise, a word and a covenant that brings us the touch of your favor and grace, and allows us to sip from the springs of living water and taste the bread of your salvation. Oh God, you have made us into your promise, a covenant to all you have created, a word that drives us and calls us and makes us into the people who you desire. Oh God, we ask you to empower us with your presence until we are transformed and have become part of your plan for this world, so all can live with enough, to eat and drink to the fullness of your reign. Amen.

God, Give us The Grace to hear your word, the word of the one who is calling, speaking and acting for those who are oppressed, poor, and burdened. God of the poor, you challenge us with the vision of a world of shared abundance and grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

God of the prisoner, you invite us to risk living in glorious freedom as your children.

All: Christ have mercy.

God of the broken-hearted, you empower us to heal and be healed by walking with those whom you love and for whom you gave your Son.

All: Lord, have mercy.

And lead us now, God of hopefulness, to see your people who suffer, to hear your word that summons us to love your world. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and [the Holy] Spirit who lives in us. Amen.

(The previous prayers are from Hunger in Abundance: A Study Guide [Manitoba, Canada: Canadian Foodgrains Bank]. © Canadian Foodgrains

Bank. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)

“God of the poor, you challenge us with the vision of a world of shared abundanceand grace.”

PA G E 4 O F 8

Give us This day our daiLy bread.All good gifts of the earth come from yourgenerous hands, God.Yet this abundance is not shared equallyamong us.While some are satisfied, others are starving.Women often become the victims of exploitationbecause they are desperate to feed and care fortheir children.If only we would be mindful that every one of us must pray:Give us this day our daily bread.

—World Day of Prayer Committee, Myanmar

Lord, we have so much. Most of us have food, shelter, people who love us, jobs, clean clothes to wear, safety, and opportunities for growth and development. May we never take your good gifts for granted. Help us to use our position of relative luxury to meet the needs of those less fortunate. Amen.

- author unknown

you asked for my hands that you might use them foryour purpose. I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them for the work was hard.You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice. I gave you a whisper, that I might not be accused.You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty. I closed them, for I did not want to see.You asked for my life, that you might work through me. I gave a small part, that I might not get too involved.Lord, forgive my efforts to serve you only when it is convenient for me to do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so, and only with those who make it easy to do so.Forgive me. Renew me. And send me out.

—South African prayer

“God of the poor, you challenge us with the vision of a world of shared abundanceand grace.”

PA G E 5 O F 8

may iT come soonto the hungry, to the weeping, to those who search for your justice, to those who have waited centuries for a truly human life. Grant us the patience to smooth the way on which your kingdom comes to us. Grant us hope, that we may not become weary in proclaiming and working for it, despite so many conflicts, threats, and shortcomings. Grant us a clear vision that in this hour of our history we may see the horizon, and know the way on which your kingdom comes to us.

—Nicaraguan prayer

Lord God, you created all people as special and equal, yet we live in a world where there is great injustice. We know this grieves your heart and we ask your forgiveness for our complacency. Too often, we shrug our shoulders and do nothing, or we blame those who are poor themselves for their suffering. Sometimes our behavior and attitudes help to perpetuate injustice. O God, stir our hearts to action. Help us to be full of compassion. As Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and healed those who cried out to him, let us be people who cry out for justice and spread the good news of your kingdom. We pray through Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Thank you, Lord, that you are a God who cares for the hungry and oppressed. You have a father and mother’s heart, and like a parent, you want to bless all your children. Help us to be obedient to your command that we share what we have and fight against injustice. Help us to be people who restore ruined houses and rebuild walls, so we can proclaim that you are mighty and just. May your light shine like the morning sun in our needy world. We pray in the name of Jesus, who is the light. Amen.

“Grant us the patience to smooth the way on which yourkingdom comes to us.”

PA G E 6 O F 8

aLmiGhTy God our heavenly Father,Grant us a vision of our world as your love would make it:A world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;A world where the benefits of civilized life are shared, and everyone can enjoy them; A world where different races and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect; A world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love. And give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The above three prayers are from Church World Service, www.churchworldservice.org. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)

o God,Open our eyes that we may see the needs of others;Open our ears that we may hear their cries;Open our hearts that we may feel their anguish and their joy.Let us not be afraid to defend the oppressed, the poor,the powerless, because of the anger and might of the powerful.Show us where love and hope and faith are needed, and use us to bring them to those places.Open our ears and eyes, our hearts and lives, that we may in these coming days be able to do some work of justice and peace for you. Amen.

faTher God, help the helpless, strengthen the fearful, comfort the sorrowful, bring justice to the poor and peace to all nations. May our hearts, like yours, be pierced with sorrow for the evils of the world. Lord God, help your Church bring hope in times of trouble for all who are oppressed by injustice and violence. Scatter the proud in their conceit, cast down the mighty from their power and lift up the lowly. Fill the hungry with good things. We pray in the name of Jesus who gives us hope. Amen.

“Help us to be people who restore ruined houses and rebuild walls, so we can proclaim that you are mighty and just.”

PA G E 7 O F 8

our dear God and faTher, we admit that we have neglected to remember the poor. Forgive us, we pray. Help us, as followers of Jesus, to work together to pursue justice, be passionate about kindness and walk humbly with you, our God. May our world be transformed in every area by your love. Our dear God and Father, we admit that we have been arrogant as a nation. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to be agents of hope for and with the poor and to work with others to hold our leaders accountable in securing a more just and merciful world. Amen.

(The previous three prayers are from the prayer resources page of the Micah Challenge, www.micahchallenge.org. All rights reserved. Used with

permission.)

“Lord God, help your Church bring hope in times of trouble for all who are oppressed by injustice and violence.”

PA G E 8 O F 8

About World VisionworLd vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people.

We envision a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. We know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. World Vision is unique in bringing 60 years of experience in three key areas to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. We bring our skills across many areas of expertise to each community where we work, enabling us to support children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

About World Vision ResourcesendinG GLobaL poverTy and injustice begins with education: understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our resources, contact:

World Vision ResourcesMail Stop 321P.O. Box 9716

Federal Way, WA 98063-9716Fax: 253-815-3340

wvresources@worldvision.org