Praying for the Eradication of Poverty

17 October 2023 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It’s a day dedicated to the commitment to end poverty around the world… Does this sound impossible to you?

We conducted a survey to find out what the British public think and found that just 49% of people believe that extreme poverty can ever be eradicated.

Christians held out a bit more hope with 59% thinking it is possible for extreme poverty to be eradicated.

Even the United Nations admit their aim of ending poverty in all its forms has become harder than ever. But they emphasise that this isn’t a reason to give up.

At Compassion, we agree. Instead, we see the need to strengthen our determination—by God’s grace and through His power. As the UN have stated: Poverty and inequality are not inevitable. They are the result of deliberate decisions or inaction that disempower the poorest and marginalized in our societies and violate their fundamental rights.

Noirine Khaitsa, a Senior Manager for Compassion International working in Uganda, says, “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.”

We need to act. Both through prayer, aligning our hearts to God, and by a strategic, intentional response that empowers our local church partners on the ground.

Will you join us in praying for the eradication of poverty?

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.

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

For 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 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 

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 who are 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

Praise & Prayer 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.