Join Young Adults in Praying for the Eradication of Poverty

Does a world where no child goes to bed hungry, where every family has dignity, and where poverty is only a memory sound impossible to you?  

Every year on 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty reminds us that this is a vision worth striving for.

To understand how young people see the challenge of poverty today, we asked young adults in both the UK and Uganda for their views. 

In the UK, only 41% of young adults believe extreme poverty can be eradicated. But in Uganda, where Compassion has worked since 1980, hope runs deep. An inspiring 91% of Ugandan young adults in Compassion-supported communities believe extreme poverty can be eradicated.

The United Nations continues to pursue its ambitious Sustainable Development Goals. Progress has been difficult, but as UN Human Rights leader, Pradeep Wagle reminds us, “Poverty and inequality are not inevitable, they are political choices.” 

Hope that sparks change

This belief is embodied by Noirine Khaitsa, who experienced extreme poverty as a child and now leads Compassion’s sponsorship support in Uganda. She says, “Every day, I see how real change begins with one person. When the life of an individual changes, as mine did, it can release an entire family, community and nation from the grips of poverty.” 

Noirine goes on to say, “I believe that we can’t eradicate poverty on our own. We don’t have the power to be able to do that. But I think God does. And God works through people. So be the vessel that God is using to eradicate the poverty.” 

Together, we can move with compassion, through prayer, through faith, and through partnerships with local churches who understand the needs of their communities best. 

Whether in Uganda, the UK, or beyond, the belief that poverty can be overcome is alive.  

Let’s join together in faith, hope and action to see lives transformed. 

Let's pray without ceasing for the eradication of poverty

Maureen, a Compassion graduate from Kenya

Maureen, a Compassion graduate, says, "Poverty brings bondage where you tend to feel like: this is me. This is how I live, and this is how I’ll die.”

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, believers are encouraged to ‘pray without ceasing’. Prayer is powerful and effective, and it’s something we can engage in every day as part of our individual efforts to see poverty eradicated and justice for those who are suffering.

Six ways you can pray for...

... an end to poverty 

God of Comfort and Mercy,

We cry out to you for the needs of people suffering around the world due to the injustices of poverty. We pray to you for an end to poverty in all its forms. We know this is impossible for us to do alone. We need you to work in our hearts and lives so that we will be motivated to ensure fairer societies and systems around the world. Help us all to recognise the intrinsic dignity in each and every person as created in Your image. Help us long for justice and to be bold in our prayers and actions as a result.

Please strengthen our resolve and by the power of your Holy Spirit, do all that we can to see an end to poverty—to be persistent in our prayers and to love not merely with words but in action and truth (1 John 3:18).

Amen

...the United Nations and World Leaders

Almighty God of the whole Universe,

We thank you that so many nations are joined together in wanting to end poverty. While world events have made the Sustainable Development Goals seem even further out of reach, we pray that world leaders would remain committed to this vital cause. We pray for unity, peace and justice to be a collective endeavour.

We know there are many differences between nations, so we ask that you grant those in authority wisdom and humility to strive for the greater good, and to diligently serve the needs of their people.

Amen

For with God, all things are possible

... the UK

Loving Heavenly Father, 

Lord, we pray for the needs of our own country and for our government during this time when the cost of living has become so challenging. We ask that you give our leaders wisdom and compassion as they make difficult decisions on how best to support people who are struggling.  

Please comfort and help those in our communities who are facing immense stress and need. We pray they would find good support from their local churches, foodbanks and community organisations.  

Please help us all look out for the needs of those around us. Help us to be generous with whatever we have. And help us to trust you for the future, knowing you are our provider God who meets all our needs. 

Amen

... for parents and caregivers

Father of All, 

Please provide for parents who are battling against poverty to care for their families. Strengthen those who work long hours both in the home and in the workplace to offer a better life for their children. Encourage their hearts when they find their efforts still don’t bring enough income. 

We lift up our partner churches who are working alongside families, giving parents training and offering income generation workshops. We pray this support might help parents find better, more stable work and be a source of encouragement, so they don’t have to struggle on alone. 

We ask that churches would also be able to offer spiritual encouragement as they share the gospel, so that parents will know that you see their efforts, that you love them and that you have a plan for their lives to give them a hope and a future. 

Amen 

... for children forced to work 

Merciful Father, 

Jesus said, “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10-11). Lord, we pray for children who are trapped in situations of forced labour, who are scared and vulnerable and endangered by the work.  

We pray authorities would act to end illegal practices. We pray children would be welcomed back into communities who can help restore them after such trauma. We pray particularly for Compassion projects who reach out to help and protect children at risk of exploitation. Please use local churches within their communities – help them know families well, to be able to offer good support and advice so that children can flourish and reach their full potential.  

Amen

Pray for children who are trapped in situations of forced labour

... for Compassion graduates 

Holy and Most Gracious God, 

We praise you for the many testimonies of your faithfulness we have from Compassion graduates. We want to rejoice that their stories represent thousands of lives that have been transformed thanks to your provision through the local church.  

We pray for your blessing on those who are graduating from the programme this year. We ask that you’d lead them to stable employment and the right opportunities. We pray they would stay connected to their local churches, and that you would continue your good work in them. 

And Lord, we praise you for Compassion graduates who are now in positions of influence. We ask that they’d continue to bear good fruit, passing on the blessings they experienced through all the love, time and skills invested in them by project workers and volunteers who were committed to their well-being. We praise you that you’ve given them the desire to bless others in turn.  

Help these inspiring examples—which show how poverty can be overcome—encourage us to keep on praying and making every effort to see children, families, communities and nations released from poverty in Jesus’ name. 

Amen 

You can empower a child to be released from poverty.