SPEAKING FOR THE VOICELESS

SUN 15 Loving Father, thank You for seeing and hearing every human being in their distress and for sending Christ to die for us while we were powerless, alienated from You and dead in our sin. Please raise up men and women of compassion to speak up for the voiceless and vulnerable; to bring them freedom, justice, and relief. In Your mercy. Amen.

MON 16

Faithful God, may Your steadfast love uphold the estimated 360 million Christians who suffer persecution and discrimination, especially in North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Sudan where they are in greatest danger of arrest, imprisonment, torture and execution. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

TUES 17 Lord Jesus, please show adult and child victims of domestic abuse a way of escape. May they be helped by those who can support them to find refuge, counselling and courage to break their silence and receive justice. Grant Your healing power to relieve their trauma and strength to recover their lives. May many find faith in You. By Your grace. Amen.

WED 18 God of truth and mercy, thank You for the legal obligations and heightened awareness of the need for safeguarding throughout society. We pray for those who have been affected and for all who have responsibility for this we ask for discernment, wisdom and determination to deal calmly and fairly with accusations and reports of abuse, whoever is involved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’

PROVERBS 31:8,9 (NIV)

THURS 19 Lord, we bring to You the tragedy of miscarriage and abortion which ends millions of unborn lives. Please bless CARE’s Open initiative and Pregnancy Centres Network as they reach out to those affected by baby loss, helping them to speak about their experience and find peace, comfort and closure. Through Your loving care. Amen. (weareopen.org.uk) (pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk)

FRI 20 Thank You, Lord, for everyone who speaks up for people who are voiceless and vulnerable for many reasons. Please encourage them to persevere as they encounter stories of sadness, injustice and desperation. In Christ’s name. Amen.

SAT 21 Father, we pray for people in need who ‘fall between the cracks’ and don’t receive the financial, social, health and legal support to which they are entitled because they are unable to engage with the authorities about their situation. Please send help to them. In Your mercy. Amen.

‘The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for our brothers and sisters is learning to listen to them.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1906-45) 15