Scripture Reading:
Psalm 81:1-10, James 2:1-12
Reflections of the Heart:
“I believe that as long as there is plenty, poverty is evil.” ~ Robert Kennedy
Scriptural Prayer:
Glorious Father, we thank You for Your all-encompassing love. Thank You for giving us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will never leave us, but will lead us into all truth. We thank You for being the God who gives justice to the poor. Your eternal Word stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves Your plans. We will never forget Your commandments, for by them, you give us life. We give You praise and glory, Father! We adore You as the One who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion, people are made great and given strength. Whether we are poor in possessions or poor in spirit, You hear us when we cry out to You, and You provide for all our needs. Hallelujah to Your Holy Name!
Divine Father, we understand that poverty is a spiritual oppression that manifests itself in lack, debt, shame, despair and injustice. Therefore, in the Name of Jesus, we rebuke the spirit of poverty! We declare that Windsor Village UMC has been anointed to respond with wise, decisive action to the curse of poverty through the provision of jobs, homes, businesses, services, and community support in Southwest Houston. We decree that we have the power to abolish poverty from within our community because we have been given authority over all the power of the enemy. As a Church Family, we commit to spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ, and as we present the truth in love, none of the enemy’s schemes to keep the poor oppressed will succeed. We declare that we will live by Your higher standard; doing what is right and just to bring hope and freedom to the poor. We will not judge; nor will we give favoritism or criticism based on outward appearances. We decree that we will love our neighbors as ourselves. We declare that we will obey Your command to support those among us who are unable to support themselves.
Holy Spirit, show us how to live with the Father’s global purpose in mind, and not just for ourselves. Open our eyes and ears to opportunities for us to be used by God to bring divine intervention to someone else’s situation. Bring us, as a Church Family, closer together in unity and brotherly love. Keep us consistent in prayer and intercession for those among us who are impoverished physically, mentally, and spiritually. Give us pure hearts to serve and to love unconditionally. Teach us how to use our influence to bring about justice for those who are disenfranchised and demoralized by the oppression of lack. Help us to respond to Your promptings in our inner man to generously share what we have with those in need. Help us to remember that Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Give our governmental and community leaders wisdom and divine strategy as they come together to solve our socio-economic disparities.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you how you can be a blessing to the poor in your community:
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Forgiving Father, please forgive us for thinking and living selfishly; for putting our desires before the needs of others. Forgive us for taking Your commandments lightly and causing others to suffer lack because of our greed. Forgive us as the Body of Christ for being passive about our position in this world as salt and light. Forgive us for unfairly judging others because of their appearance or condition without knowing their story. Forgive us as a nation for lusting after wealth and affluence, and for doing less than our best to extend ourselves to help other nations in need. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that You have committed). Holy Spirit, remind us all of all those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show You names or faces of people that You may need to forgive. As He shows You, say aloud, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in Your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Righteous Father, help us all to not yield to temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
We exalt You, Lord! You are the blessed and only almighty God. You are King of all kings and Lord of all lords. You alone can never die. You live in light so brilliant that no human can approach You. All honor and power are Yours forever! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture References for the Written Text: James 14:16-17, Psalm 140:12, Psalm 119:89-91, 93, I Chronicles 29:11-12, Isaiah 54:17, Mark 12:31, Leviticus 25:35, Acts 20:35, Matthew 6:13, I Timothy 6:15-16
Today I will trust God to:
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© Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. ©2011 Caldwell Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved — No reproduction of the material is permitted without the expressed permission of CMI.