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April 12, 2005
Praying for Justice 3: Pray for the rules to be changed
A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.. (Pr 13:23)
The fields of cotton farmers in Burkina Faso do produce enough cotton to feed their families. But they have been unable to sell it, because American subsidised cotton is dumped on the market, undercutting the Burkina cotton. Yet "free trade" rules imposed on Burkina means they are not allowed to subsidise their own cotton. Often this is the case - the Lord acts to provide for the poor, but unjust rules bring poverty.
International rules that take food from the mouths of the poor need to be changed. Such rules should be made to work for the poor and weak, not just the powerful. Rich countries should stop their own unjust subsidies. Harmful free trade rules should not be imposed upon the poor - they should be allowed to choose policies that help them work their way out of poverty.
· Pray that international trade rules and policies in the WTO, IMF, and World Bank will be changed to help the poor.
· Pray that rich country subsidies will be removed and that poor countries may have the right to choose policies that help the poor.
This week, I am posting short meditations and prayers around the theme of justice for the developing world. God calls his people to stand up and to respond to injustice. During this week, I am focusing on issues of justice for the developing world as part of the Make Poverty History campaign.
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 the needy.(Proverbs 31: 8)
Posted by Keith at April 12, 2005 08:07 AM
