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food - pray

Pray for producers. Thank God for the effort that has been invested in sowing, tending, and reaping. Thank Jesus that he came to establish justice on the earth and ask him to comfort those who work in unjust and difficult conditions. Thank him for those who benefit from Fairtrade co-operatives. Pray for opportunities for more producers to benefit from the Fairtrade market.

Pray for poor countries. Pray that poor countries would stop being pushed to adopt trade policies that are making them poorer. Pray that they will be able to choose their own trade policies which will protect the poorest in their communities. Pray that new trade rules would be written that favour the poor instead of the rich.

Pray for the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Pray that the World Bank and the IMF would stop imposing harmful conditions on grants, loans and debt relief they give to poor countries. Pray that the WTO would provide strong leadership and ensure that rich countries honour their commitments to change practices that harm the poor.

Pray for Christians. Thank God that every day he provides food for us. Ask forgiveness for the times we have not cared about the producer when buying our food. Ask for strength to serve God by committing to buy Fairtrade products and campaign for trade justice.

Creative prayer on food

‘A poor man’s field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away’ Proverbs 13:23

You will need: a map of the world, slips of paper, pens.

Place your map of the world in the centre of the group. Either as individuals or in a group, write on slips of paper each item of food you have eaten today. Place the slips on the map where you imagine the food to have originated. (For some tips, see our case studies section in Lift the Label on Food or visit www.fairtrade.org.uk and select ‘Suppliers’.) If you have cups of tea or coffee or any food as part of your meeting, place these on the map too. Spend some time looking at the map and considering those who worked to provide you with these products. Someone may like to read out the following prayer or you can use it as a guide for your own prayers:

Father God, you taught us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” and today we want to thank you that you have answered this prayer by faithfully providing food for us each and every day. We want to say that we recognise that many of our fellow human beings are part of that provision. Our cupboards and fridges are stocked with the fruit of people’s labour right across the world. We thank you for the effort that has been invested in sowing, tending, and reaping and give thanks for each person whose hard work has brought food to our table. But, we also recognise that, for many who work to provide our food, their lives are marred by injustice, oppression and suffering. We are sorry for the times we have contributed to that suffering because we have not cared about the producer when buying our food.

You are the God of justice who rises to show compassion. We ask that you will uphold the cause of those who work long hours for little or no reward; who are exploited; who cannot afford to buy the food that we eat. Please bless them. Please also continue to bless those who are benefiting from the Fairtrade market.

Please move us with your Spirit of justice, so that we use our opportunities to speak up on their behalf.

Amen