THIN SPACE
Confession
Prayer Hour this week is all about confession.
Each day at 12 midday, we’re going to be seeking God’s forgiveness for huge areas in our lives and in our communities where we have discriminated, where we have abused, where we have shown prejudice.
Today we’re dealing with the sin of Poverty
Poverty
Hunger is the number one cause of death in the world.
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Luke 6:20
What are the causes of poverty ?
Changing trends in a country's economy.
Lack of education, high divorce rate, a culture of poverty, illiteracy, overpopulation, environmental problems such as lack of rainfall epidemic diseases such as AIDS, malaria and now COVID19.
Many people who live in extreme poverty are often also victims of discrimination on grounds such as birth, property, national and social origin, race, colour and religion. Poverty is both a cause and a product of human rights violations.
This is class discrimination, also known as classism, is prejudice or discrimination on the basis of social class. It includes individual attitudes, behaviours, systems of policies and practices that are set up to benefit the upper class at the expense of the lower class.
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker (God), but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Proverbs 14:31
Nearly 1/2 of the world's population — more than 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. 805 million people worldwide do not have enough food to eat.
More than 750 million people lack adequate access to clean drinking water.
Here in UK...
An estimated 14.3 million people are in poverty in the UK.
8.3 million are working-age adults,
4.6 million are children, and
1.3 million are of pension age.
Around 22% of people are in poverty,
What are we doing about it?
Are we tangibly making a difference or turning a blind eye?
What can we do?
Repent for not doing enough. Pray, get educated, and then act.
Support charities who are making a difference with the poor….
www.mercyships.org.uk/
www.wateraid.org
www.compassionuk.org
Move into a deprived area with The Message Trust
www.message.org.uk/eden
Helping the homeless in Manchester
www.embassybus.org
Start at home? PBC Fellowship Fund
During the month of June, we are launching a Fellowship Fund appeal helping members of PBC who have lost their jobs or have had their working hours or take home pay severely reduced. A member of our church has generously offered to double anything that we raise through this appeal during this month.
Here are the Fellowship Fund bank details:
Bank: Yorkshire Bank
Sort Code: 05-09-33
Account: 42966769
If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
Deuteromony 15:7-8
Let’s start now!
Watch Matthew West, “Do Something” - CLICK HERE
A Christian Aid Prayer
Loving God, you make us in your image.
Forgive us when we fail to see your image in each other,
when we give in to greed and indifference
when we do not question the systems that are life-denying.
As we are made in your image,
let us live in your image
and be Christ-like
in service, endurance and love.
Amen
Songs
Tim Hughes - God Of Justice - CLICK HERE
All to Jesus I Surrender https://youtu.be/7x2IpLSfqp8