Prayers for World Hunger

Prayers for world hunger are needed more than ever, as the global hunger crisis continues. The 2024 Global Report on Food Crises states that last year, nearly 282 million people experienced high levels of acute hunger, requiring urgent food and livelihood assistance. This is 24 million higher than the previous year. 36.4 million children are considered to have acute malnutrition.

While it’s vital to help practically, it’s also important to turn to our God and lift up in prayer all those facing food insecurity.

We’ve collected resources to help inspire prayers for the hunger crisis. As the situation becomes increasingly severe, we need God’s mercy and provision more than ever.

Three-day Food Crisis Prayer Guide 

We’ve released a new three-day prayer plan to help guide your prayers. In the plan, you’ll find three prayer focuses, each with an accompanying devotional and scriptures to reflect on. Discover prayers for awareness, prayers for those offering practical assistance and prayers for taking further action. Let God stir your heart for those facing unprecedented food insecurity.

Further World Hunger Prayer Focus Areas

1. Pray for those experiencing acute hunger

   Acute malnutrition for children and women has worsened, particularly for displaced people groups and those affected by conflict.

   Ask for God’s comfort and miraculous provision as families try to survive with what little they have. Pray particularly for children who are going hungry every day. Lift up Compassion’s church partners as they respond to meet urgent needs in their communities. Pray especially that they would adapt well to consider the needs of displaced people who arrive, traumatised by their experiences, and with little-to-no resources.

2. Pray for resolution to conflict

   The impact of conflicts around the world is causing devastating suffering as well as increasing the cost of living all over the world.

   “For families living in poverty, inflation is putting them further below the poverty line,” says Compassion Burkina Faso photojournalist Jehojakim Sangare. “Children miss school and adequate health care for their development.”

   Please pray for an end to war. Ask for God’s blessing and help for peacemakers everywhere, and that global supply chains will be restored quickly to put an end of food shortages. Pray too that those who are suffering the greatest impact of rising food prices will receive the support they need.

3. Pray for East Africa and other areas impacted by extreme weather

   Extreme weather and drought have increased as the effects of climate change damage crops, livelihoods and whole communities.

   In East Africa, (including Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya), a severe hunger crisis has been building following the worst drought in 40 years.

   Ask God to bring the much-needed rainfall and for there to be a successful harvest. Pray for farmers to be given support and resources for adapting to the effects of climate change.

   Pray for our local church partners in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as they respond and ask God to strengthen them during this challenging time. And for all communities and nations who are struggling with having enough to survive; pray for unity amongst wealthier nations to enable better provision and equality.

   Donate to our Food Crisis Appeal

4. Pray for the child you sponsor and their family during this time.

   We’re so thankful for your ongoing support which is helping our 8,600 local church partners deliver essential care to some of the most vulnerable children and families.

   Thanks to you who sponsor a child with Compassion, children supported by our local church partners receive routine check-ups that enable local staff to monitor their health. Church partners are trained to identify malnutrition and hunger so they can take immediate action if a crisis hits.
   
   Pray that the child you sponsor and their family, will feel God’s love and comfort surrounding them through the care and practical provision of their local church.
   
   Discover more ways Compassion’s local church partners are supporting your sponsored child during the global food crisis by visiting the blog.

Prayers for the hungry

We hope this collection of prayers for those suffering from food shortages and hunger will guide you as you spend time interceding. Pray alongside Compassion’s staff members, graduates and church partners from around the world as they cry out to God on behalf of those most impacted by the global hunger crisis:

“Dear God, our hearts go out to all who have lost their homes, their crops, and their livestock. We understand there are so many mouths to feed, so many bodies to shelter, and so many children who are affected and dying prematurely but we trust in your mighty power. Isaiah 58:10 tells us that if we give ourselves on behalf of the hungry, then our light will shine in the dark. Even in these darkest moments, please God, help us be a light and relief to your people.” – David Ouma, Compassion Kenya Food Security and Livelihoods Specialist

“Merciful God, our Lord and Father, I come before your throne of grace during this time of global food crisis. You are the greatest provider of all times, so Lord, I pray for food provision for each and every household currently in need. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” – Gabriella Samaty, Compassion Photojournalist, Togo

“Father God, drought has hit our country very badly. Goods are scarce and what is available is not enough. Food has become so expensive. Lord, we pray for your mercy and provision.” – Susan, Compassion Kenya

“Lord, you are our refuge in times of need and in these times, where there’s so much conflict, fear, and uncertainty, we want to turn our eyes to you and put our faith in you alone. Amen.” – Betsy, Regional Content Manager, Peru

“Dear God, millions of children and families are forced to skip two or three meals per day in Burkina Faso because of poor rains last year and insecurity in their communities. You are Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, please send support; to send a daily bread to all affected children, youth, caregivers, and staff in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!” – Jehojakim Sangare, Compassion Photojournalist, Burkina Faso

“Lord, I ask you to provide through your Church for the millions of children worldwide who are wondering where their next meal is coming from. Help us to do all we can to create a more just world.” – Alex Clark, former Volunteering Manager, Compassion UK

“Dear Father, How many people are suffering in this world? How many children and their families are living in a vulnerable way? It hurts my heart to know that when they sit at the table or on the dirt floor, they can only look at the sky because they have nothing to eat. It hurts my heart to know that unemployment and lack of opportunities close the doors to the possibility of at least eating a loaf of bread. I pray God continues to use Compassion, church partners, donors, and sponsors to bless these children and their families. Amen.” – Yrahisa Mateo, Compassion Photojournalist, Dominican Republic

“Lord God, we pray in your Son’s powerful name for protection over children and their families living with acute food insecurity. Thank you for our church partners who are currently working to alleviate this suffering. Lord, help us be your hands and feet, going and serving where the need is greatest.” – Justin Dowds, CEO of Compassion UK and Compassion Ireland

“Heavenly Father, I pray that you would provide every household with their bread. Lord, thank you for using Compassion to be a beacon of hope for those who are in desperate need of help and hope.” – Tigist Gizachew, Compassion Photojournalist, Ethiopia

“Dear Heavenly Father, You are Jehovah Jireh, our provider! Your Word says that you feed the birds and clothe the flowers with compassion and love. How much more do you want to meet the needs of your children! Father, I pray for supernatural intervention during this crisis on behalf of those struggling to find food for themselves and their families. Amen.” – Fernando Sinacay, Compassion Photojournalist, Peru

“Dear Lord, we pray for people who seek food in extreme difficulty. Lord, we believe that you are the provider for us and for them who are in need. Open our hearts, oh Lord, make us learn to give more to others as we have gotten so much from you. Amen.” – Hutama Limarta, Compassion Photojournalist, Indonesia

A Short Reflection on Matthew 25:35

In the Bible, in Matthew 25, Jesus is describing what the Kingdom of heaven will be like with parables. In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus moves on to describing what is going to happen in the future when He comes again. With all the nations gathered before Him, Jesus Christ will begin to separate them into two groups. One set for heaven on His right and the other destined for judgement on His left. 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” 

This passage is a clear commission to care for the hungry. 

Although “brothers and sisters of mine” is a description of Christians, it reveals the heart of Christ for the poor, the needy and the suffering.  

Knowing the nature of Jesus, and the references to loving our neighbours who are in need throughout scripture, it would be safe to say we are to care for people of all faiths and none, whoever God puts in our path. Feeding the hungry, inviting the stranger, and giving the thirsty something to drink are all ways of serving Jesus. When we look after the hungry, it is as if we are caring for Christ Himself. 

Bible Verses about Hunger  

Below, we’ve gathered a selection of scriptures on feeding the hungry to encourage us in our prayers for the food crisis. Whether it’s about how we treat those who are in poverty, or about God’s comfort that’s provided to those in need, the Bible is full of compelling quotes on this topic. 

James 2:15-17 “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” 

Luke 6:21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” 

Proverbs 22:9 “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” 

John 6:35 “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 

Isaiah 58:10 “…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” 

Proverbs 14:31 “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.” 

1 John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”