Momentum equals mass times velocity. It makes a difference that we're not alone. It makes a difference that there’s lots of us and that together we're moving at pace. Here's some evidence of the momentum that's building. Let it inspire you and get ready to help build even more momentum!
Micah Challenge Switzerland, together with over 60 other Swiss organisations, is celebrating the success of a petition sent in May with over 200,000 signatures calling on the Swiss Parliament to increase their aid. Their government has responded by proposing to increase their Overseas Development Aid budget by over 70% by 2015!
Remember last month’s Australian political cyclists? That was part of a larger event held by Micah Challenge Australia called Voices for Justice. Over 200 supporters came from all over the country for two days of training and action in Parliament House to raise their voices in justice for the poor. The impact has remained long after Micah Challenge left the building, with speeches, motions moved and questions asked in support of the campaign from all angles of politics. And to top it all off the Australian Prime Minister was so impressed with Micah Challenge that he will be sending a letter to all MPs telling them if they have not already they need to meet with Micah Challenge!
A young boy from Malawi makes a stand against poverty
New Year is a time to reflect on the changes we want to make in our lives. It is a time with fresh hope of a new start and new resolutions. At the start of 2009, what does the Lord require of you?
This New Year is a chance to respond to Micah’s challenge to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly by making little changes in our lives. These little changes can make a big difference, like choosing to spend a few minutes sending an e-mail, writing a letter or doing a Take Five action to let governments know that injustice of poverty cannot continue.
It is easy to feel inadequate in the face of the overwhelming challenge of poverty, but throughout history individuals and small groups coming together to make a stand has led to significant cultural changes such as the abolition of the slave trade and the civil rights movement. More recently people coming together to add their voice to a cause has meant that more producers in the developing world are receiving a living wage, more children have the opportunity of an education and HIV is no longer an automatic death sentence as treatment has become more freely available.
At the start of 2009, all eyes are on one man as he takes the stage in one of the most influential positions in the world, as President of the United States. What will Barack Obama do during his presidency? Let’s take our first step of 2009 by presenting Micah’s challenge to Obama, urging him to use his influence to bring a new hope for the world’s poor.
‘Biblical Foundations to Advocacy’ – be inspired by Micah Challenge Australia
Watch these video clips on Obama’s promises to the world’s poor
From Micah Challenge India
God of mercy, justice and love,
In humility and led by your Spirit, as individuals, families and churches, we want to model a lifestyle of justice in our homes, workplaces and communities.
We pray for churches to be involved in actions of service and justice so that your values are proclaimed in our nation.
We pray that churches and Christian networks would join in challenging oppression of the poor and speak the truth with a gentle manner.
We pray that we would stand together and cry for justice. We pray that the governments of this world would hear our cry and delay no more in acting to end poverty.
We want to establish your justice and righteousness on earth.
Give us wisdom, grace and persistence dear Lord.
Amen
20 January is a date to go down in history as Barack Obama’s inauguration as President of the United States. As he takes up his new position, let’s join with Micah Challenge USA to urge Obama to have a foreign policy that embodies justice and to renew America’s promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
How can we end poverty? Share this clip of Bono to inspire your friends to shout loud for the end of poverty and encourage them to join you in Take Five: five little ways to make a big difference.
