Help us help them

One small hand passes a loaf of bread across a gap to another open hand reaching from the other side, with a bit of warmth drawn simply between them, with the words “help us help them” lettered by hand.

God, our Father in heaven, in you we live and move and exist. Please have mercy on everyone who is poor or in trouble. Be their help and their protection. Give them enough food and clothes for what their bodies need, and help them, day by day, to hand all their worries over to you. And help us, in some way, to help them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

James 2:15–16 (BSB)

Adapted from John Hunter, via A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages (1913), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.