Poverty in the Greater Montgomery Area

POVERTY IN THE GREATER MONTGOMERY AREA
Part 1

"22.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Montgomery County,  live below the poverty line. This is higher than the national average of 14.7%.(DATA USA). The federal poverty income level for a family of 4 is $24,300."

Being in poverty is not necessarily mean that one is lazy or a "bum". Most people living under the poverty level are working people. They are struggling to make ends meet.   In Montgomery, 22.6% of our population (APPROXIMATELY 230,00 as of 2016). That is approximately 52,000 people in the Montgomery County area that live daily not being able to make ends meet. That does not even include Lowndes County(35.2%)  where 7 of our churches in Montgomery Baptist Association reside and Elmore County(14%) where we have 1 church. 

For the rest of the month of May, our prayer focus will be on poverty in the Greater Montgomery area, praying for people in poverty and those who can help. I will be giving you resources as well to get involved and help alleviate poverty and the stereotypes. As follower of Christ, we are to deal with systemic problems and be concerned enough to contribute to the solutions of them.

We will start with this verse to ponder this week:

Deuteronomy 15:7-8    "If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks."

Prayer Points:
1. Pray for our hearts to be softened to those struggling in poverty of the heart and the physical aspect of poverty.

2. Pray for wisdom on to best use our own resources to sustain those who are hurting and in need.

3. Pray for those stuck in the cycle of physical poverty, that there might be a way out.

4. Pray for Christian churches in Montgomery, AL and surrounding area to step up and help those in need. Proverbs 21:13 says this: "Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."
WATCH this great breakdown of what is it is like to live in poverty by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. It will be eye opening if you have not had to stretch your dollars on a regular basis.
                                                           Poverty Tour USA