Poverty: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Research shows that poverty has a direct impact on the economic, social and spiritual aspects of people's lives. The cycle of poverty and disadvantage once begun can be difficult to break and diminishes the individual and the society in which it occurs. The Salvation Army's experience with disadvantaged Australians demonstrates that without basic necessities being met, people survive but do not flourish as full participating members of society. Jesus said, "blessed are the poor." We pray for the children, women, and men across our nation who struggle each day to make ends meet. Despite their difficulties in providing for themselves and their families, please give them strength and hope, and guard their minds and hearts from despair. Please find a way to protect the 12% of children who are living in poverty and help us to find those most in need so that we can provide care and support. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." We pray for the people and groups of people campaigning for change to economic policies that fail to be sufficient. We pray for people helping in our social services around our nation, and ask that you strengthen their resolve. Help each of us to see your plan for creation, and correct us when we judge others and close our hearts to people in need. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." We pray for the leaders and politicians with the power to change things. We pray especially for the politicians as they struggle with the question of poverty. Help them to take the side of the poor, to resist the voices of self-interest and complacency, and to make bold choices for the good of all people. Jesus, you were a friend of the poor. Help our nation. We ask these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen Can you remember a time when you or your family struggled financially? How did you cope? How did you feel? Who helped you through? Do you know anyone who is disadvantaged now? Are you a friend of the disadvantaged? Who is to blame for poverty and who is responsible for eradicating poverty?
Housing: Jesus replied, Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Matthew 8:20 On any given night in Australia there are 105,000 homeless people. People who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, are among the most marginalised and disadvantaged in the Australian community. Imagine you had nowhere to live. Where would you go? How would you survive? What does it mean to be homeless? What defines a home? What are some of the effects of homelessness on society? Do people have the right to a home? What kind of home should that be? How should we be supporting those experiencing homelessness? Jesus, you knew what it was like to have no home. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to care for those without shelter. Lead us as a nation to policies and strategies that will eradicate homelessness and provide for all in need. Guide the politicians and practitioners who already aim to reduce homelessness in Australia. Strengthen our resolve as your people to commit to radical hospitality as a way of life. May you provide the wanderer with shelter, even now as we recognise the need in our own country. May you provide peace in families experiencing break down or violence. May you provide those struggling to support themselves financially with the resources they need to find or stay in housing. Surround those without a home with your presence and your people. We ask these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born (Australians), and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of (England / Ireland / Italy / Vietnam.) Leviticus 19:33-34 The Church respects the Government's right to take reasonable measures to control and regulate entry into Australia. Issues of border security and eradication of people smuggling are important, but need to be separated from the fair and compassionate treatment of asylum seekers. The current practice of detaining asylum seekers who arrive by boat on excised territory severely restricts their access to basic rights and services, including legal representation, education, translators, advocacy and health services. This approach impacts on the mental, physical and emotional health of asylum seekers and lacks compassion and dignity. Almighty and merciful God, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; look with mercy on those who today are Fleeing from danger, homeless and hungry. Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace. We ask these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen. Imagine you had nowhere to live. Where would you go? How would you survive? What does it mean to be homeless? What defines a home? What are some of the effects of homelessness on society? Do people have the right to a home? What kind of home should that be? How should we be supporting those experiencing homelessness?
Health: I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full John 10:10 There are still many Australians who continue to experience poor and restrictive access to quality health care. To assist people experiencing disadvantage in access and opportunity to receive adequate health care requires Government commitment and leadership, as well as collaboration between key stakeholders. Significant financial investment, including the provision of targeted resources is required to alleviate disadvantage and provide all Australians with quality health outcomes. Lord, you desire fullness for us, and yet so many within our nation are struggling with physical and mental illness, and addiction issues. Bring healing we pray Lord, so that the distress of sickness may be removed. Help those medical professionals to have clarity of mind so as to determine the right treatment. And inspire our leaders with the wisdom required to best care for all those in need. Provide resources so that none among us will need to suffer unnecessarily. Through your miraculous works, may you be glorified and your Kingdom established here on Earth as it is in Heaven. We ask these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do you know somebody struggling with an addiction or a physical or mental illness? Do they feel supported by society, or do they struggle to be accepted? How do you think we need to support and encourage them? What needs to be done to change the attitude of society towards people with health issues? How can we offer a greater level of care and support? What else should the government be doing to ensure issues of addiction and mental health are prevented where possible and supported once present?
Youth: Command and teach these things. Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:11-12 Youth is recognised as a period of rapid emotional, physical and intellectual development, where young people progress from being dependent children to independent adults. Young people who are unable to make this transition smoothly can face significant difficulties, both in the short and long-term. Almost 1 in 100 young people report being homeless. 1 in 4 young people aged between 16 and 24 are living with a mental health disorder and 1 in 3 experience moderate to high levels of psychological distress. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people. Approximately 22% of males and 16% of females aged 18-24 years have an alcohol abuse disorder. A large number of young people are drinking at Levels that place them at risk Lord, we bring before you the young people of Australia. You know them by name, and you know their needs. Strengthen each young person, and equip them with the commitment to learn. Bring people into their lives who will model respect and maturity. We pray for the leaders and teachers of young people. May they understand how important their role is, and may they advocate for young people excluded from the richness of life. We pray for an end to the structures that keep our young people unskilled and under-resourced. Help our politicians to see the unjust structures present, and encourage them to have the goodwill to correct injustice for young people everywhere. We ask these prayers, trough Christ our Lord. Amen Reflect on the social statistics of young people listed above. Why do you think young people are struggling so significantly? Think about how many young people you know. Are they struggling with any of the issues above?. If not, what is in their life supports their stability? If they are, how do you feel you can support them? What more can we do to support young people? How can we help in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse? What more should our government leaders be doing to support young people?
Aged Care: Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? Job 12:12 The need for aged care reform is urgent and requires strong commitment from all stakeholders, in particular, the Australian Government. The Churches seek to partner with the Federal and State Governments in health and aged care reform. Such reform will require increased funding and significant deregulation of the aged care system, with protections in place for the most vulnerable in our society. Lord, You care for each one of your children from beginning to end. Help us to see all of your children as you do and give the some measure of grace and love to all. Give our leaders the ability to cater for the needs of those aging, ensuring that they provide adequate levels of care with dignity and respect. Provide strength and sustenance to the many corers and health care professionals. And assure those who feel their life reaching its final years that they're safe in your hands. We ask these prayers, trough Christ our Lord. Amen Think about what your life would be like when you are too old to work? Will your pension or savings be enough? Who will be there to help you? Willy you need more health care and will you be able to afford it? How do these thoughts make you feel? In what ways are the elderly treated well or poorly in society? What are the concerns of older people in Australia? What support is available for older people? What else needs to be provided? What are politicians saying about aged care? So you think this is adequate?
Overseas Aid and Development: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4: 18-19 What does global poverty look like? 1.3 billion people living on less than $1.25 per day. 783 million people without access to clean water. 850 million people without enough food to eat. 58 million children not attending school. As Pope Francis states, Poverty in the world is a scandal. In a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone, it is unfathomable that there are so many hungry children, that there are so many children without an education, so many poor persons. We must recognise the interconnectedness of our global family, challenge the structures and markets that perpetuate poverty, and promote an integral human development that enables everyone to have the opportunities and choices to live life to the full. Lord, may we proclaim without compromise the message of good news to the poor, a message of love, justice, truth, hope and above all human dignity. May we work together to transform hearts and minds so that those blinded by materialism come to see anew that the goods of the earth, and creation itself, are for the good of all. May we affirm each other s gifts and encourage each other as we work together to bring the good news which ends poverty, promotes justice and upholds dignity. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen Who are the blind, poor, captives, and oppressed today? What is the good news? Who is responsible for bringing about the good news? What can you do as an individual, and as a member of a family, a community, and a church, do to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity?
11-17 th October 2015 This Guide has been produced by the The Salvation Army with assistance from Caritas Australia. Endorsed by the Social Questions Commission of the Victorian Council of Churches.