September 14, 2011. Today's news included the U.S. Census Bureau report that 46.2 million Americans — 1 in 6 — are living in poverty. That is the highest number in the 52 years that the Census Bureau has been tracking poverty in America.



And so we pray this news:


A Mother in Poverty

O Lord, listen to my cry.
I am in a deep hole of suffering.
When I sleep, hoping for a better tomorrow,
the sun rises with more problems at my face.
Very sick children.
Empty cups without drinks in them.
No plates of food to eat.
I pray every time,
thinking that God will provide,
but nothing changes.

Jesus, come and help me
overcome this poverty.

In Jesus' name, I pray.

— Sister Vicky Waraka
in Lifting Women's Voices


We Who Have Too Much

O Generous and Loving God,

We who have too much and have shared too little
ask your forgiveness.

We who have too much and have shared too little
ask for a new heart within us.

We who have too much and have shared too little
are needy for a new vision for our world.

We ask that we may see
each child as our child,
each woman as our sister,
each elder as our mother, and
know the fierce love of caring for our own.

We can't stop because
we know even a little more can help a lot.

We who have too much and have shared too little
stunt our own soul's growth.

We who have too much and have shared too little
are beginning to realize that it's not only helping them —
it's also saving ourselves.

As Jesus taught us,
what does it profit to gain the whole world
and lose your soul, your very humanity?

In Jesus' name. Amen.

— Barbara H. Schlachter
in Lifting Women's Voices


For Those Living in Poverty and Hunger

Our Loving Creator God,
We bring before you this day
the burden the whole world carries
as it endures extreme poverty and hunger
in every land.

Stretch out your loving arms, we pray,
to embrace the suffering women, men and children
whose bodies, minds and spirits are shrinking
before our very eyes.

Help us to look, really look,
with clear eyes and open hearts,
to see the pain and hopelessness
in their bewildered eyes.

Kindle within each one of us
a flame of love and purpose,
And then

Enable us to channel our love into action
in every way possible
and impossible.

For this we pray. Amen.

— Mimi A. Simson
in Lifting Women's Voices



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