How to Pray about a Bad Financial Situation
Anglican Church Develops Prayers for Financial Crunch Victims
Nov 3, 2008
Web users looking for support during the current financial situation have boosted traffic to a Church of England website section focusing on debt advice by over 70 per cent, and increased visitor numbers to the Church's online prayer page by more than a quarter.
New Prayer Concerning Financial Crisis
The church has developed this new prayer for people seeking spiritual help with earthly money problems:
Lord God, we live in disturbing days.
Across the world prices rise, debts increase, banks collapse, jobs are taken away, and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer.
Be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands, and a light in the darkness.
Help us receive your gift of peace and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Other Prayers Concerning Financial Stewardship
The Anglican Church has long recommended prayers asking for wise financial stewardship. These ask for wisdom in our attitude toward money and for wise use of all the resources entrusted to us.
This is one of them:
Father, we pray for the many who are trapped by growing burdens of debt, who see no way out, and who despair for their future.
Give them courage to tackle the problems they face, clarity in making decisions which will turn their situation around, and faith that, as they cry to you in their trouble, you will deliver them from their distress.
Through Jesus Chrst our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for Guidance in Today’s World
Other prayers are offered on behalf of countries affected by national and international debt and such consequences as lack of wholesome food, protective shelter and basic medical care,
In addition, there are prayers asking for love and compassion so that the faithful may reach out to people in need and stand alongside those who bear such burdens as debt and other forms of impoverishment.
The Anglican Church also has other prayers applying to life in today’s world. These pray for soldiers, refugees and other victims of war, as well as for peace, justice and the well-being of all people. Many of these prayers are available online.
Anglicans Offer Other Financial Crisis Resources
The Church of England has met the financial crisis in numerous other ways. A companion article discusses its “Matter of Life and Debt” program, which has teamed up with John Preston, author of The Money Revolution, to offer guidelines to people who may be on the edge of personal financial collapse. It is estimated that seven million people in England are at risk of getting into problem debt.
 |
 |
 |
