Praying for an end to extreme poverty can seem like a daunting task. You may feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. But your prayers can truly make a difference in the lives of people around the world (James 5:16).
Throughout scripture, God repeatedly asks his people to care for and stand up for those in need. Praying is one way that we can ‘uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed’ (Psalm 82:3). And when you start a conversation with God about the issue of global poverty, he can start to guide your prayers and highlight specific issues to you.
Your prayers make a difference as Tearfund and our partners go into challenging situations to support some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. Not everyone can go to these places in the world, but everyone can play a part through prayer.
Getting out and about to pray
A prayer walk is simply spending some time praying and talking to God as you go on a walk. Getting outside and going for a walk can give you a new perspective, and the things you come across during your walk can also prompt and guide your prayers.
This prayer walk guide has five prayer stops which explore some of the root causes of poverty, such as the climate crisis and conflict, as well as looking at the ways in which poverty impacts people and how they can be empowered.
Try it with your church
If you are in a group, you could split off into smaller groups to do different activities, or you can go through each of the five activities together. Use the guide as a starting point for further discussion and prayer.
Please note: if you are doing this as a church, you may need to carry out a risk assessment. If anyone in your group struggles with walking, you may want to choose a location that has benches so that everyone can join in.
