The Prayer of the Poor Rises Up to God: Reflecting on World Day of the Poor, November 17

On November 17, the world will once again pause to observe World Day of the Poor, a day established by Pope Francis in 2016 to reflect in the struggles of those made poor and to renew our commitment to social justice. This year’s theme, “The Prayer of the Poor Rises Up to God”, invites us into a profound reflection on the resilience, dignity, and unshakeable faith of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Today, our world is often divided by wealth, power, and privilege, silencing how the poor are a reminder of our shared humanity. We must not continue to view those made poor as mere statistics or members within a social category; they are our brothers and sisters, whose struggles with hunger, homelessness, and marginalisation speak to the deeper wounds in our global community. Despite their suffering, those who have been made poor also offer something profound: a faith that transcends material circumstances, a prayer that rises above the noise of everyday life, reaching out for hope, comfort, and justice.

The prayer of those made poor is not always spoken in words, but it is ever present. It is the quiet cry of parents who struggle to feed their children, the desperate plea of a person seeking asylum, the groans of a child who goes to bed hungry. Those made poor, Pope Francis reminds us, are often those who speak to God with a raw and honest heart, bringing before God the weight of injustice, the pain of exclusion, and the longing for dignity.

Pope Francis also reminds us that this prayer of those made poor does not come from a place of comfort, but from the very depths of despair. Yet, it is a prayer that also carries within it immense strength and hope – a recognition that even in the most dire of circumstances, God is present, listening, and responding. The prayer of those made poor is a powerful force, not because it is easy or eloquent, but because it is rooted in a desperate trust that God’s mercy can be greater that the world’s injustice.

World Day of the Poor is not only a day to reflect on the plight of those made poor but also a call to action. The prayer of those made poor is not a passive one; it is a cry for justice, for a world that upholds the dignity of all people, regardless of their status or wealth. As we reflect on the theme for this year, we must know that the prayer of those made poor is not simply a spiritual appeal; it is a challenge for us all to examine our role in perpetuating systems of inequality.

Pope Francis urges us to “take the side of the poor”, not just through charitable acts, but by confronting the structural injustice that cause poverty, inequality and marginalisation in the first place. Those who have been made poor teach us that true solidarity is really about changing the systems that perpetuate inequality and division. In this, we are challenged to look beyond surface-level acts of kindness to the deeper work of building a society where justice, equity, and compassion guide every policy, every decision, and every relationship.

In the Book of Psalms, we hear the recurring phrase: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor” (Psalm 34:6). The prayer of those made poor is not in vain; it is heard. But for that prayer to truly rise, it must be accompanied by our actions. We are called to listen, to be the living Gospel and respond to the plight of the marginalised, oppressed and forgotten. True listening is not just with our ears, but with our hearts, attuned to the suffering of those who are often silenced in society.

This World Day of the Poor invites us to reflect on how we can elevate the voices of the poor, not just in prayer, but in practice. How can we dismantle the structures that keep people in poverty? How can we advocate for policies that ensure equal and dignified access to education and housing for all people? How can we learn from the resilience and faith of those made poor to build a world that truly reflects the Kingdom of God – a world where love, justice, and compassion are not just ideals but realities for all?

As we mark World Day of the Poor this November 17, let us recognise the need for a world where poverty is not a fate, but a problem to be eradicated. A world where the prayer of those made poor rises not only to God, but into the hearts of all who seek to build a more just and compassionate society.

This year, as we stand in solidarity with the poor, let us remember: their prayer is a prayer for us all.

Source: Emilia Nicholas, Lasallian Mission Services