For this Lenten season, I am trying something different. I'm taking a more meaningful approach to Lent, hopefully one that will last more than 40 days. Of the three pillars of Lenten sacrifice, I wish to share with you my daily Prayer devotions: a prayer a day for the 42 Poorest Countries in the World.
The idea came to me when I was working in the VIDES USA office and was reviewing the placements for volunteers in Africa. Ashamedly, I slowly realized I could not tell you major differences between various countries in Africa, southeast Asia, South America, etc. Yet, I knew that their situation must be distinct and it would give me better appreciation of our interwoven humanity if I took time to realize their struggle.
So, here begins the list:
Feb.14th
42) Bangladesh - Population: 146.88 million, 49% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Roughly 80% of the population lives on floodplains, which can wipe out entire villages and spread communicable diseases with haste.
Prayer: Lord, bless the children and farmers of Bangladesh. Let us build, in solidarity, a community where the vulnerable can have access to healthcare and proper nourishment. Open my heart to hear their voices, so that I may do what I can to help. Amen.
Feb.15th
41) Timor-Leste (East Timor) - Population: 1.14 million, 37% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: After many years of fighting and conflict with Indonesia, 95% of schools were destroyed in 1999.
Prayer: Father, thank you for my education and the opportunity to pursue knowledge. As I grow to learn, let me also do my part to educate the underprivileged, so they may have opportunity to thrive as well. Amen.
Feb.16th
40) Angola - Population: 19.08 million, 40% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Fastest growing economy in Africa and second largest producer of oil in Africa, yet the riches go into the hands of the corrupt.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, rid my heart from greed. I know I must free myself from it's clutches before I tell others to do the same. Bless the people who suffer from oppression and give them the riches they deserve in the eternal life. Amen.
Feb.17th
39) Myanmar (Burma) - Population: 54.58 million, 33% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Has been under military control since 1962, leading to a wide variety of human rights violations: child soldiers bought and sold by the military, sex slaves, systematic rapes, censorship, reported genocide, and hundreds of political prisoners with no voice. Tied with Somalia as the most corrupt country in the world.
Prayer: You have given me a blessed life, Lord. I have been born into a loving family, have been provided with all my needs (and more), and taught the faith, all without fear of oppression. Let me take this time to give you thanks for the blessings you have bestowed on my friends, family, and myself, but also remember those who live in constant fear of death. Give them the courage they need to live as you intended for us to live. Let us recognize these injustices and have the strength to do our part to alleviate the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in all parts of the world. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Feb.18th
38) Cameroon- Population: 19.0 million, 48% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: 5.4% prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS compounded by the stigma the disease still carries in the country leads to a lack of proper treatment and retro-viral medications. Life expectancy for the country is a very low 54 years of age.
Prayer: Jesus, you accepted our suffering and sin to teach us the virtue of patience and compassion in human illness. May those who suffer from illness, pain, and disease realize that they will be joined by you in eternal life. Comfort them and bring them peace in their hearts so that joy overcome their burden they carry. Amen.
Feb.19th
37) Madagascar- Population: 22.0 million, 76.5% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Though the country is rich in natural resources, export taxes cripple farmers and agriculture, due to it being an island. Additionally, the country estimates there are nearly 1 million orphans in Madagascar.
Prayer: Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy. Amen.
Feb.20th
36) Tanzania- Population: 43.18 million, 35% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Roughly 60% of all generated electricity in Tanzania comes from hydro-electric power, but the country has been plagued with frequent droughts throughout the 20th and 21st century, creating large stability problems. On a positive note, the country has more than 120 different ethnic tribes and has enjoyed relative peace for nearly half a century.
Prayer: Grant me wisdom and the ability to see clearly, Lord. Let us learn from this country, who accepts differences not with resistance and judgement, but with kindness and love. May we realize the gifts they have and be able to share in their spirit as brothers and sisters, as you intended. Amen.
Feb.21st
35) Papua New Guinea- Population: 6.31 million, 37% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: A country with many traditional and indigenous tribes - 97% of the land is given to these tribes to be handed down by generations or used to their discretion, and over 800 spoken languages throughout the island. However, these numbers come with other problems, such as lack of healthcare - only 5 physicians per 1,000 people on average.
Prayer: Lord, you created us as unique individuals so that we may fully see the beauty of your creation in each other. When I recognize the differences in another, let me see the beauty they possess and love them as you would. Rid me of my blindness when I judge others who are different from me so that I can see not with my eyes, but with my heart, as you intended. Amen.
Feb.22nd
34) Yemen- Population: 25.13 million, 34.8% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Water resources per person in Yemen: 100 m3
Water resources per person poverty line: 1,000 m3
Average water resources per person in rest of the world: 2,500 m3
Prayer: When I am thirsty and go to the faucet to get a drink of water, do I realize what a luxury I have? Water is simple, refreshing, abundant, yet necessary for everyone. Lord, next time I reach for a glass of water, help me to remember my brothers and sisters who thirst. Be with them so that their spiritual thirst may be quenched along with their physical thirst. Let us use our gifts to provide this basic human need to all throughout the world. Amen.
Feb.23rd
33) Senegal- Population: 12.185 million, 34.0% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Many Senegalese depend on rivers, lakes, and streams for their livelihood. However, pollution, overfishing, and overuse is hurting the poor and is the main reason why outbreaks of diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue, and yellow fever remain prevalent.
Prayer: God, just as the people of Senegal uphold the value of hospitality, let me too put others first in my life. Let me not live for myself, but for others - because I know that I will find You in others through love. Amen.
Feb.24th
32) Senegal- Population: 12.185 million, 34.0% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Many Senegalese depend on rivers, lakes, and streams for their livelihood. However, pollution, overfishing, and overuse is hurting the poor and is the main reason why outbreaks of diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue, and yellow fever remain prevalent.
Prayer: God, just as the people of Senegal uphold the value of hospitality, let me too put others first in my life. Let me not live for myself, but for others - because I know that I will find You in others through love. Amen.
The idea came to me when I was working in the VIDES USA office and was reviewing the placements for volunteers in Africa. Ashamedly, I slowly realized I could not tell you major differences between various countries in Africa, southeast Asia, South America, etc. Yet, I knew that their situation must be distinct and it would give me better appreciation of our interwoven humanity if I took time to realize their struggle.
So, here begins the list:
Feb.14th
42) Bangladesh - Population: 146.88 million, 49% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Roughly 80% of the population lives on floodplains, which can wipe out entire villages and spread communicable diseases with haste.
Prayer: Lord, bless the children and farmers of Bangladesh. Let us build, in solidarity, a community where the vulnerable can have access to healthcare and proper nourishment. Open my heart to hear their voices, so that I may do what I can to help. Amen.
Feb.15th
41) Timor-Leste (East Timor) - Population: 1.14 million, 37% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: After many years of fighting and conflict with Indonesia, 95% of schools were destroyed in 1999.
Prayer: Father, thank you for my education and the opportunity to pursue knowledge. As I grow to learn, let me also do my part to educate the underprivileged, so they may have opportunity to thrive as well. Amen.
Feb.16th
40) Angola - Population: 19.08 million, 40% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Fastest growing economy in Africa and second largest producer of oil in Africa, yet the riches go into the hands of the corrupt.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, rid my heart from greed. I know I must free myself from it's clutches before I tell others to do the same. Bless the people who suffer from oppression and give them the riches they deserve in the eternal life. Amen.
Feb.17th
39) Myanmar (Burma) - Population: 54.58 million, 33% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Has been under military control since 1962, leading to a wide variety of human rights violations: child soldiers bought and sold by the military, sex slaves, systematic rapes, censorship, reported genocide, and hundreds of political prisoners with no voice. Tied with Somalia as the most corrupt country in the world.
Prayer: You have given me a blessed life, Lord. I have been born into a loving family, have been provided with all my needs (and more), and taught the faith, all without fear of oppression. Let me take this time to give you thanks for the blessings you have bestowed on my friends, family, and myself, but also remember those who live in constant fear of death. Give them the courage they need to live as you intended for us to live. Let us recognize these injustices and have the strength to do our part to alleviate the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in all parts of the world. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Feb.18th
38) Cameroon- Population: 19.0 million, 48% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: 5.4% prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS compounded by the stigma the disease still carries in the country leads to a lack of proper treatment and retro-viral medications. Life expectancy for the country is a very low 54 years of age.
Prayer: Jesus, you accepted our suffering and sin to teach us the virtue of patience and compassion in human illness. May those who suffer from illness, pain, and disease realize that they will be joined by you in eternal life. Comfort them and bring them peace in their hearts so that joy overcome their burden they carry. Amen.
Feb.19th
37) Madagascar- Population: 22.0 million, 76.5% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Though the country is rich in natural resources, export taxes cripple farmers and agriculture, due to it being an island. Additionally, the country estimates there are nearly 1 million orphans in Madagascar.
Prayer: Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy. Amen.
Feb.20th
36) Tanzania- Population: 43.18 million, 35% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Roughly 60% of all generated electricity in Tanzania comes from hydro-electric power, but the country has been plagued with frequent droughts throughout the 20th and 21st century, creating large stability problems. On a positive note, the country has more than 120 different ethnic tribes and has enjoyed relative peace for nearly half a century.
Prayer: Grant me wisdom and the ability to see clearly, Lord. Let us learn from this country, who accepts differences not with resistance and judgement, but with kindness and love. May we realize the gifts they have and be able to share in their spirit as brothers and sisters, as you intended. Amen.
Feb.21st
35) Papua New Guinea- Population: 6.31 million, 37% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: A country with many traditional and indigenous tribes - 97% of the land is given to these tribes to be handed down by generations or used to their discretion, and over 800 spoken languages throughout the island. However, these numbers come with other problems, such as lack of healthcare - only 5 physicians per 1,000 people on average.
Prayer: Lord, you created us as unique individuals so that we may fully see the beauty of your creation in each other. When I recognize the differences in another, let me see the beauty they possess and love them as you would. Rid me of my blindness when I judge others who are different from me so that I can see not with my eyes, but with my heart, as you intended. Amen.
Feb.22nd
34) Yemen- Population: 25.13 million, 34.8% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Water resources per person in Yemen: 100 m3
Water resources per person poverty line: 1,000 m3
Average water resources per person in rest of the world: 2,500 m3
Prayer: When I am thirsty and go to the faucet to get a drink of water, do I realize what a luxury I have? Water is simple, refreshing, abundant, yet necessary for everyone. Lord, next time I reach for a glass of water, help me to remember my brothers and sisters who thirst. Be with them so that their spiritual thirst may be quenched along with their physical thirst. Let us use our gifts to provide this basic human need to all throughout the world. Amen.
Feb.23rd
33) Senegal- Population: 12.185 million, 34.0% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Many Senegalese depend on rivers, lakes, and streams for their livelihood. However, pollution, overfishing, and overuse is hurting the poor and is the main reason why outbreaks of diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue, and yellow fever remain prevalent.
Prayer: God, just as the people of Senegal uphold the value of hospitality, let me too put others first in my life. Let me not live for myself, but for others - because I know that I will find You in others through love. Amen.
Feb.24th
32) Senegal- Population: 12.185 million, 34.0% live below the poverty live ($1.25/day)
Fact: Many Senegalese depend on rivers, lakes, and streams for their livelihood. However, pollution, overfishing, and overuse is hurting the poor and is the main reason why outbreaks of diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue, and yellow fever remain prevalent.
Prayer: God, just as the people of Senegal uphold the value of hospitality, let me too put others first in my life. Let me not live for myself, but for others - because I know that I will find You in others through love. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment