Poverty and the Poor

Father may we be a people whose hearts value release.

May we abolish debts,

May we not

shut our hands

close our ears

blind our eyes

shut our hearts

To the cries of the poor.

Keep us from unworthy thoughts and from ignoring their cries.

May we remember that we were poor but that you have made us rich;

And may we rejoice at other’s wealth gained at our expense.

James 5:1-6; 2 Corinthians 8:9

My Father,

I am blessed and rich.

Thank you.

Forgive me 

where I have stolen from the poor;

where I have lacked compassion and hoarded wealth;

where I have lived in self-indulgent pleasure;

where I have fattened my body;

where gold and silver have corroded my heart;

where riches have rotted my values.

Forgive me 

because of the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, 

who though he was rich yet for my sake became poor 

that by his poverty I might become rich.

Amen