Being poor is a subjective description of one’s circumstances. What is poor for some may be something that is already enough for others. Likewise, what is just enough for some may already be too much for others. But for the sake of this article, when we say “poor” we are referring to those who are in a circumstance in which they are having a hard time financially and cannot afford the things they need, and wages and incomes are too low to afford things even in a statistical aspect.
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would give me the wisdom not to settle for my current situation but to take responsibility, rise above my situation, and find a solution to provide for my family’s needs. I am confident because, in the end, You are my ultimate provider. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Poor Man’s Prayer
Eternal Riches and Contentment in Christ
Christians take comfort in the truth that God is our provider. In fact, one of His names is Jehovah Jireh, as mentioned by Abraham in Genesis 22:14. Instead of Isaac being sacrificed, God has providentially caused a ram to become stuck beforehand to serve as Abraham and Isaac’s sacrifice later on. It foreshadows Christ, Whom God provided to us. So, in Romans 8:32 it is written that if God did not even spare His own Son from dying for our sins, how much more will He graciously give us all things? Of course, it is provided that God gives us only that which is good (Matthew 7:11). That is also why we can lift up our prayer requests to God, including those that pertain to our needs. It’s because He is our provider (Philippians 4:6-7). God wants us to come to Him in times of need because He is our Father.
However, besides the blessing that God is our provider, another comfort that we Christians could take refuge in whenever we experience poverty or financial difficulties is that even if our earthly riches are close to nonexistent, we have Christ and so are truly wealthy. In fact, the apostle Paul was more than willing to count everything he had as loss or even garbage for the sake of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). Christ was his greatest treasure. That is why, in the parable of the kingdom of heaven, the pearl is described to be of so much value that the person who found it would be willing to sell his possessions for it. Such is the value of Christ.
Why is Christ our greatest treasure? It is because no one or nothing else can surpass the grace, mercy, and spiritual benefits that we have by being in Christ. Besides being forgiven and receiving eternal life, we get to be adopted as God’s children (Ephesians 1:7; John 3:16; Romans 8:15). In Christ, we have a good shepherd Who, in times of weakness, treats us with tenderness and kindness and knows our frailties. In Christ, we find joy that no storm in life could steal; we know that we are secured in the Father’s love in Christ (Romans 8:38-39). In Christ, we are conformed daily to His image, becoming more like Him (Romans 8:29). In Christ, we have found our purpose in life, and in Him we want to live. As we do things for His kingdom, we are applying treasures in heaven one by one (Galatians 2:20; Matthew 6:20)—treasures that no one will be able to steal nor could the global economy affect. In Christ, we have an eternal inheritance, which is Himself, in the future glory that is to come (Ephesians 1:3). Christ is our all in all.
Given that Christ is our greatest treasure, even if you are poor in an economic sense, you are very rich in the spirit. You can get by and know how to face highs and lows, abundance or lack. As Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13, that is because you have contentment in Christ, Who is your all in all.
Lord Jesus, open our eyes to Your beauty, majesty, and splendor so that we may see how You are more than enough in our lives. Give us the means to understand Your sweetness, tenderness, and gentleness toward Your sheep. Remind us of the privileges and benefits we get by being in You and trusting Your finished Work. We adore, worship, and magnify You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Poor Man’s Prayer
What, Then, Can You Pray?
As you experience financial difficulties or poverty, it is important to remind ourselves of the truths we have given above. First, Christ must be our greatest treasure. It is either Christ or something else. We do not want to make a treasure out of earthly riches, for where our treasure is, there our heart also lies (Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.). With that, we can pray and remind ourselves of Who Christ is and even ask God for His grace to continually realign our hearts to having Christ always as our greatest treasure.
A Poor Man’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the times when I am struggling financially, remind me of Who my greatest treasure is and that in Christ I am contented. Always realign my heart toward being in awe of the all-sufficiency of Christ. Remind me that in Christ I have everything because I have Him, and in Christ, I find joy, abundance, and fulfillment in life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apart from that, you can ask God for the provision that we need. God not only addresses the spiritual but also the physical. So, just as we remind ourselves that Christ is our greatest treasure, we can also ask God for finances, job opportunities, provision, and whatever we need to address our financial difficulties. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Father in heaven, I pray for the finances that I need to get by and pay off my monthly expenses. I also pray that the job applications I sent will bear fruit and that I will be able to get a good-paying job that will pay my expenses. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Poor Man’s Prayer
Last, it is also important to pray for diligence. It is God’s design for us to work (Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.). Work is also a means for God to provide for our needs with the income we derive from it. So, we ought to be faithful and diligent in our work. When we are diligent, we become good at our work, and because of that, we prosper (Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 12:24).
A Poor Man’s Prayer
Lord, help me be diligent and faithful when it comes to finding work or doing the work I currently have. Remind me that I am working heartily, not for men but for You. Give me the grace and wisdom that I need when it comes to work; that I will be excellent in it not for money but to glorify You with my excellence and be a blessing to others with the work that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Whether we are experiencing abundance or lack, we know how to face these, and we are content because Christ is our greatest treasure. Seeing Christ as our greatest treasure moves us to live for Him. Because we know that we live our lives for Him, we pursue meaning and purpose in life; one purpose is our work. So, when we work, we are working ultimately for Christ.