Identifying with and praying for the poor

Scripture is replete with commands to love, serve and give generously to the poor. This year, VRBC's Global Missions Fair will center around Jesus' mission statement in Luke 4:18, "to preach good news to the poor." Most of us have never had to wonder where our next meal would come from, or where we would lay our head at night. Even those who grew up in poverty in the US had access to health care and a basic education. It is hard for us to identify with the poor around the world.

This week, we challenge you to eat a subsistence diet--a minimal amount of rice, beans and water. Decide with your family whether you will do this for one meal, one day, one meal/day, or even the entire week. Consider it a partial fast, a way to focus our attention and our prayers on behalf of the poor around the world. Each day, we will post some Scriptures and/or thoughts on this blog to help guide your prayers. At the end of the week, when we come back together for worship, Bible study, and the Global Missions Fair, we will have hearts and minds prepared for what God would like to teach us.

Prayers and Scripture for Sunday, September 23rd:

Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

• Pray that the Spirit of the Lord would lead you in the path of Jesus. Ask that the Spirit would guide you, teach you, and give you a heart of compassion for the poor.
• Pray that God's Spirit would make clear your "anointing"--your calling--to the poor.
• Pray that God would reveal to you what truly constitutes "good news" to the poor. Be assured that the gospel is good news, but it is good news to the whole person, not just to the soul.