“It is possible to change the world’s realities.”[1] These hope-filled words from Richard Stearns aptly summarize this week’s chapter from the The Hole In Our Gospel.

After necessarily presenting the horrendous plight of those who suffer from exploitation and extreme poverty, Stearns reminded us that the situation is far from hopeless. Massive strides have been taken in recent years to alleviate hunger and deprivation, and those efforts will only increase in our lifetime. Both governmental and non-profit agencies are actively attempting to see extreme poverty expunged in the next handful of years, and people are becoming increasingly stirred to take responsibility for their world.

In this chapter, Richard Stearns reminded us that the center of our compassion and humanitarian efforts must be a stretched-out posture of prayer. He wrote, “In addition to mustering the moral and political will to rise to these challenges, we must also go forth armed with the spiritual power of prayer.”[2]

As we continue doing what we’re doing—sponsoring children and giving special financial offerings—and as we consider what else we should be doing to help, let’s also stand as prayer warriors, appealing to heaven to come to the aid of those who need it most.

Isaiah 41:17 says, “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” Let’s pray that verse even as we give it practical expression through our gifts and acts of service.

(The Hole in our Gospel reading program–week sixteen: Finally, the good news)