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My friend Dave, a businessman with an interest in the Church and faith, asked me this question recently? He asked it because he was wondering why no one was speaking up, he couldn't remember hearing any leading church leader speak about how the Church should respond to the growing crisis, or any guidance about what God might think. 'I feel like I don't know how to pray about the recession. I almost wonder whether it's legitimate.' My answer to Dave, was yes it is ... and it spurred me to ask a few questions about how we pray in this current climate.
The poor are being affected
This is a huge indicator about our prayers and the heart of Christ when we wade into the maelstrom of current financial gloom. This hurts the poor. People are losing their jobs, money is tighter - loans harder to find, things are difficult. It's a general perception that this recession is about Bankers and Estate Agents - but every recession hurts the poor and God stands up for the poor. Lets pray for those in need in our nation.
- The Government is rightly targeting a reduction in child poverty. Pray for ministers involved and for wisdom and guidance to genuinely see child poverty eradicated.
- Pray for those facing unemployment, for hope, for new opportunities and for families coping on low income and facing all the pressure and the stigma of unemployment.
- Pray for those who care, in all spheres of society and life - as they provide help to those in need and often make first contact with those facing difficulty for the first time.
Wisdom is needed
The forthcoming G20 will prove crucial in determining global wisdom in financial policy and practical action. Pray for the leaders involved and for God's wisdom to flow through the discussions. Pray particularly for an openess to the needs of nations, an absence of protectionism and willingness to reinforce work in development, social justice and the environment in the face of economic constraints.
Patience and tolerance required
The recent industrial disputes about foreign nationals gaining employment in the UK gives us a reminder of some of the dangers in a time of recession. We live in diverse nation and many of us celebrate that. But history teaches us times of hardship require the balance of hearing people's grievances in a real way, but also rejecting intolerance and knee-jerk reactions. Pray for wisdom for national and local leaders, for creative solutions to employment problems, and for a continued atmosphere of tolerance and understanding in our nation.
Praying about money ....
Christ of the poor,
Saviour of the orphan and the widow,
Champion of the Oppressed.
We kneel before you, asking for your help.
God of wisdom grant help for our leaders in time of recession.
Grant creativity to those making policy.
Grant thick skins to those making tough decisions.
Grant soft hearts to all to remember the needs of the poor.
Grant open hands so that we always think of our neighbours.
Grant good advice so that we can chose the right path.
Christ of the poor,
Money never defined you,
People, not possessions, were your goal.
May we remember people and their needs at this time.
May we resist the temptations of money
But instead embark on a journey which makes the most of the resources you grant us.
In the name of Christ.
Amen |
Andy Freeman, 23/02/2009 |
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