provision | prayer & verse

Feeding the poor, Rudolf Hirth du Frênes via Wikimedia Commons

O God, when I have food,

help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

Samuel F. Pugh, 1904 – 2007, Disciples of Christ minister, United States

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2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times,
you may abound in every good work.

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Questions

What organization can you support that will allow you

to remember the needs of others in a tangible way?
How and when can you offer your support?

image via Wikimedia Commons

Lord, give us all that the necessity of this life requires, day by day.

We do not want to store up a supply that would last for many years,
to preclude all necessity of praying to you.
We do not want to forget you.
But minister it day by day,
so that we may daily feel your benefits and never forget you.

Or if you give us an abundance above what we desire,
then give us a heart to use it for the purpose you intend
– including sharing with our neighbors.
Help us not to be overly attached to what you provide,
but to remember it is yours,
and that you may take it away whenever you like.

In that way help us to be content with whatever you do,
always keeping in mind that whatever you provide
is simply our daily bread.
Amen.

William Tyndale c.1492-1536 English Bible translator, martyred
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Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

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Questions:

Are you content when God provides you with just the necessities?
When God provides an abundance, have you taken hold of opportunities to share?

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