As we continue this partial fast to focus our attention and prayers on behalf of the world's poor (see previous posts for details), we hope to develop regular habits of praying for the poor.

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Living in suburbia, it can be easy to push the issue of poverty to the recesses of our minds. We get caught up in the busy-ness of many good things, but our lives are far removed from the plight of the poor around the world.

• Pray that we will not "close our eyes" to the poor living in the Majority world. Pray that God would help keep them on your heart and mind, and as a focus of your prayers and generosity, on a regular basis.
• Pray that we would, as VRBC's missions strategy says, "intentionally [go] where we would not otherwise go" even here in the Metroplex. Pray that we will not "close our eyes" to the blighted communities around us. Pray that God would remind you to pray for our partners at Cornerstone and for all those who are working among the poorest places in DFW. Pray that God would provide you with opportunities to get directly involved yourself in these areas.
• Pray that we would not "close our eyes" to the poor in our own neighborhoods, schools and communities. Especially in this downturned economy, many are still living in homes and driving cars that are now far above their means, trapped in a lifestyle they cannot afford. Their poverty may not be obvious, but they may be struggling to put food on the table, caught in a cycle of despair and disgrace. Pray that God would open your eyes to their plight and give you opportunities to serve then with compassion and generosity.