Poverty - But I don't see it!

Isaiah 25 offers this beautiful description of God...

For You have been a stronghold for the poor,
a stronghold for the humble person in his distress,
a refuge from the rain, a shade from the heat.

We know that God is merciful and has compassion on the poor. And we know that He wants His people to mimic Him.

But where are the poor? I don't face them in our streets. They don't live around the corner.

Or do they?

Almost half the world — over 3 billion people — lives on less than $2.50 a day.

1 billion children live in poverty (1 in 2 children in the world).

In this time of prayer and fasting, let's remember those who - though they may not live next door - are as visible and accessible to us as we want them to be. Let's ask God to open our eyes, and begin to see the poor as He sees them ... and then respond as He would have us to.

Starter prayer...
Father, sometimes we don't see what we don't want to see. Give us the courage to see the poor. Give us the mercy to respond. And give us the grace to be transformed into Your image. Jesus, you came to bring peace through the cross and to free us to bear Your image. Help us.

Amen