Reflection 1 – Fairtrade
Good morning; may the Lord be with you.
(Response) And also with you.
-When someone treats you unfairly, how do you feel? Why?
In Isaiah chapter 10, verses 1-2 we read,
‘How terrible it will be for those who make unfair laws, and those who write laws that make life hard for people. They are not fair to the poor, and they rob my people of their rights. They allow people to steal from widows and to take from orphans what really belongs to them.’
God promises justice will fall on those who treat people unfairly.
-In what ways do we treat people unfairly?
-What can we do about it?
Prayer 1
Let us pray,
Lord God,
We pray for all those struggling with poverty, injustice and oppression. Help us especially today, to remember the poorest workers, including children, who are paid so little and expected to work long hours.
Help us make sure people know about these situations, so that employers will be led to treat their workers more fairly. Amen.
Reflection 2 – Fairtrade
Good morning; may the Lord be with you.
(Response) And also with you.
What do you do to help others? Why?
In Isaiah chapter 58 verses 6-7 God says,
‘I will tell you the kind of fast I want: Free the people you have put in prison unfairly and undo their chains. Free those to whom you are unfair and stop their hard labour. Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours, and don’t refuse to help your own relatives.’
- How can we help the poor, needy and people who are being treated unfairly?
-What can we do at home and in school about this?
Prayer 2
Let us pray,
Father God,
We thank you for all those that have chosen to make a difference for those less fortunate than themselves. Thanks you that we can make a massive difference through our giving and even simply choosing fair trade goods. Please build up those who conduct their business with integrity and treat their workers well. May those who are dishonest and exploit others be brought to justice. Inspire us and help us to do what we can. Amen.
Reflection 3 – Social Justice
Good morning; may the Lord be with you.
(Response) And also with you.
Some farmers have to live on about 80p a day because people want cheap food, and they don’t get a fair price for what they grow? That has to cover everything – food, housing, clothes etc. A meal in a school in Zambia costs 10p and many struggle to even afford that.
-Think how much you spend on an average day.
In the book of James chapter 5 verse 4, he writes,
‘Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty’.
There is enough food and wealth in the world for everyone to be comfortable, and yet there are still people who are starving, who have poor water supplies and who work hard for very little.
What are you prepared to do to make a difference?
Prayer Day 3
Let us pray,
Creator God,
Thank you that you created a beautiful world for all your children. As we taste and smell the fruits of this creation help us to remember those who farm the land to grow them for us. Help us live in a partnership of love and support with those who produce our food and drink so that we might enable others to feed their families and create a sustainable future. Amen.