Luke 4: God’s Heart for the Poor and Marginalized

23rd Week After Pentecost

Scripture 

Luke 4:18–19 (NIV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Scripture Reflection

Jesus declared His mission in the synagogue at Nazareth: to bring good news to the poor, freedom to captives, healing for the broken, and liberation for the oppressed. His heart has always bent toward the hurting, the outcast, and the overlooked. If we long for true revival, it must be marked by this same heart — a movement that does not just stir the sanctuary but overflows into the streets, bringing justice, compassion, and tangible hope.

In a region like New England, where poverty and marginalization often stay hidden behind respectability or systems of inequity, we need spiritual eyes to see and courage to act. The Holy Spirit anoints us to continue Jesus’ ministry among the poor — not only proclaiming freedom but practicing it through generosity, advocacy, and sacrificial love.

May we become a people who embody good news, bringing the year of the Lord’s favor to every corner of society.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Praise God for His compassion and mercy, who lifts up the lowly and binds up the brokenhearted.

IN: Ask God to soften your own heart for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized in your community.

OUT: Pray that the Church in New England would rise up to serve, advocate, and love the poor in radical, Spirit-empowered ways.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You came to proclaim good news to the poor and freedom for the oppressed. Thank You for Your heart of mercy and justice.

Forgive us when we ignore the cries of those around us or grow comfortable in our privilege. Awaken our hearts to see as You see.

Anoint us with Your Spirit to bring hope, healing, and freedom in tangible ways. Empower the Church across New England to stand with the poor, to break chains of injustice, and to demonstrate the reality of Your Kingdom.

Let revival overflow from our worship into acts of love, until every person knows they are seen, valued, and invited to the table.

In Your name,

Amen.