Prayer Letter March 2023

Prayer Letter March 2023

Food Bank Prayer Letter: March 2023

Romans chapter 12 verse 6-8

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

As we take time to consider and celebrate all the good that the Norwich food bank does to support those that are in need let us give praise and thanks to God.

We pray for:

1. Expected increase / change once again to energy costs and for those who are already ‘only just managing.’ We pray for support for the most vulnerable and for warmer weather too!
2. The new budget and all it entails for those in work, on benefits, employing other people,  trying to make their business work and everyone in between. For clarity and support to be available.
3. The Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation, working together on the ‘Guarantee The Essentials’ campaign, asking for an increase to Universal Credit and a guaranteed minimum payment, regardless of deductions and sanctions. For a clear message to be  presented and for those in positions of power to listen and respond.
4. Our land and for countries around the world growing food for their own people and economies. For the Lord to bless the crops this Spring and Summer.
5. Norwich and other cities where Asylum seekers and refugees are placed, with little or no English, access to support or knowledge of how to get help. For wisdom in how we as individuals, churches and charities can respond in the most helpful manner
6. Wisdom to use our resources – including time, people, funds and campaign ideas – to bring as much benefit as possible to the people we aim to serve.
7. The staff, Trustees and volunteers of the foodbank. We give thanks for the new volunteers coming forward and pray for wisdom and discernment for placing them in the right team.

A prayer from CAFOD

Plant in us, Lord seeds of solidarity, so that, rejoicing in your gifts, we may cherish your presence
in each other and all creation.

Root us, Lord, in compassion and justice. Pour your Spirit down like gentle rain, softening our hearts, washing away division and selfishness.

Cultivate in us, Lord, attentiveness to your call. Give us hope to dream of a better world and strength to play our part to make it a reality.

Grow in us, Lord, your ways of peace and courage, so that, we may bear witness to your love,
revealed to us in Jesus.

Amen.

We give Thanks for:

1. New volunteers to boost our driving team, meaning we can cover illness and holidays and spread the load – literally and metaphorically! We give thanks for the opportunities we have to use volunteers in our work
2. Continued generosity from our community – volunteer time, food, toiletries, money, prayer – and for positive responses to appeals through Bankuet, Bank The Food and social media. Also from groups such as Harford Manor, Aviva and GoodGym for all their support in working with us
3. The workshops Your Own Place have put on, help with budgeting and money skills,    accessing and navigating the benefits system and tackling the cost of living. We give thanks for all the help and support provided to those who have been able to attend
4. Our advice workers Kasia (from Citizen’s Advice), Luan and Eve (Shelter) who are helping 10s of people every week, based at 8 of the foodbank distribution centres
5. The partnership with UEA who’s independent research into some of our projects have  highlighted the good work we are doing and given helpful suggestions of how we can work even more effectively with our volunteers and clients
6. Continued opportunities to speak in the press and at events about our work and the  opportunities to partner together – Rotary, Lions, churches, WI, Mother’s Union, community groups – to realise our vision of seeing an end to the need for foodbank

Foodbank Prayer
For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in.  Matthew 25:35

God of faithfulness, Your generous love supplies us with all that we need. We know that all we have is yours.
We celebrate the work that you have done in Norwich and Norfolk through foodbank by means of the generous support of many people.
Through foodbank we are able to offer food to the hungry, a drink to the thirsty and compassion to the strangers in our city and county.
Accept our offering of worship and service.  May your Spirit empower us to be your hands and feet in our community as we continue to serve those in crisis.
We pray that you bless all those who give and receive.  Increase the capacity of foodbank; help the food to get to those who need it most.
Amen

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