Prayers to End Hunger: Following the pope’s example

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Pope Francis visits Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

By Bread Staff

This week, Pope Francis will visit Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia. As a prominent world religious leader brings faith to bear on our government, President Obama will welcome him to the White House, and Francis will make the first-ever address by a pope to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Over the past two years, Pope Francis has led the Catholic Church by example: praying with and serving the disabled, disfigured, and the destitute. His humility and willingness to refuse the trappings of privilege when they interfere with opportunities to love and serve others is inspiring to all Christians.

In the first chapter of Isaiah, the prophet heralds God’s call to repentance to the people of Israel. The Israelites had rejected God’s precepts, and Isaiah was there to call them back, saying, “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Plead the rights of widows” (Isaiah 1:17, NLT). God promises to restore Israel if only they would seek the things he calls them to. “Zion will be restored by justice; those who repent will be revived by righteousness” (Isaiah 1:27).

Over these next two weeks, join us (and Pope Francis) as we follow Isaiah’s call to pray for all people in need and to plead for justice. Specifically, pray for:

  1. The desperate, the widow, the orphan, and all people who suffer in this country and around the world, that they would be relieved of suffering, receive justice, and find wholeness.
  2. The church, that we would follow the example of Jesus and those around us, like Pope Francis, who truly seek to follow him in service to people who are hungry.
  3. For our elected officials in Congress, that they would open their hearts to the message Pope Francis brings, especially as he calls for justice for prisoners, care for creation, and inclusion for the marginalized.

When you commit to joining in praying for an end to hunger, we will email you twice a month with specific prayer requests and sample prayers. Learn more about how you can get involved with prayer at Bread.

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