They are always there
the needy the hurting the poor

They interrupt our thoughts as we prepare another abundant meal
they collide with our plans for an extravagant weekend
their cry can disturb the stillness of our worship

Lord let us think upon them as You do
May we allow your spirit to impose your plans upon our lives
even as they demand that we abandon our excesses
May their agony be revealed in our groaning for them

You have said "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard."

Lord we long to hear from you and we long for you to hear us