Ash Wednesday - Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

In your devotions today I ask you to meditate on the plight of our poor. MDG Goal number states: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger.

Target 1:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day. (yes this includes 1.3 BILLION brothers and sisters)

Target 2:
Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people (given our current world-wide economic downturn, this goal becomes increasingly more difficult - but we must keep it in prayer and a realistic target to continue to work towards)

Target 3:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Recent news on this goal can be found at:

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/poverty.shtml

Please remember that although the faces we see regarding poverty seem to be African or Asian, we too have our poor in this country and the current economic times are pushing more people over the poverty line. Some who were able to support their families last year are now without jobs. Some have lost their homes and others who were renters are on the streets because the owners have defaulted on their mortgages.

Please keep in your prayers for today the plight of the extreme poor. Ask God to enlighten you on how you may help. Yes, one person can make a difference.

Please add this prayer to your devotion today:

Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings,