Churches pray with one voice for justice

Thousands of people will join with one voice in praying for an end to poverty as they connect with God’s heart for justice.

From 1 to 7 March, churches and individual Christians worldwide will spend time with God and pray about issues of poverty and justice as part of the One Voice prayer campaign led by Tearfund, 24-7 Prayer and CompassionArt.

The ministries have developed prayer resources for the week, including material giving guidance on prayers for Haiti following the January 12 earthquake that left more than 200,000 people dead and another 1.5 million homeless and in need of aid.

Tearfund Chief Executive Matthew Frost said the response to its Haiti appeal had been incredible.

“All around the UK, churches have been praying for people affected by the earthquake and for the churches on the ground in Haiti who have been responding since day one to the urgent needs of so many people,” he said.

“It has reminded me of the privilege it is to be part of the global church at a time like this – we’re able to reach out to our brothers and sisters and lift them up in prayer as they seek to meet the needs of those around them.”

Churches will hear a message from former Delirious? frontman and CompassionArt founder Martin Smith in a short film guiding them on how they can pray and listen to God as they spend time considering his heart for justice.

Some churches are planning to open their doors 24 hours a day for the duration of the week to allow people to come and pray in creative prayer spaces. Other churches are planning to give time over in their scheduled services to reflecting on the needs of the global community.

“When we pray, we have a heart transplant with Jesus and we can’t help but become the answer to our prayers,” said Andrea Percy of 24-7 Prayer UK.

“We no longer see ‘the poor’: we see ‘people’. We respond as family. The child orphaned by Aids becomes my daughter; the widow, my mother. The man who has just lost his home in Haiti, my brother; the farmer who has no rain for his crops, my father.

“Let’s speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. In the words of Proverbs 31, speak out for justice and stand up for the poor and destitute.”

On the web: www.tearfund.org/onevoice