The Bible makes it clear that Christians should be feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and sheltering the homeless. Statistics show the need is great, and God has commanded His followers to serve in love.
Here are some interesting statistics pulled from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2018 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress. In the United States, on a single night during 2018:
- 552,830 people were homeless;
- 180,413 (33%) of the total number of homeless were in families with children;
- 358,363 (65%) of the homeless were in emergency shelters;
- Half of America’s homeless were in five states – California, New York, Florida, Texas and Washington;
- 9 percent of homeless people were 18-24 years old;
- 1 percent of the homeless population was under age 18;
- 37,878 veterans were homeless; and
- 70 percent of the homeless were men while 91 percent of homeless veterans were men.
The last global survey on homelessness was conducted by the United Nations in 2005. At that time, there were an estimated 100 million people homeless with 1.6 billion lacking adequate housing.
These numbers show there is a clear need across the United States and world for people to feed, clothe, and shelter the homeless. Christ-followers and Christian churches should be busy about this work.
With that need and God’s commands in mind, let prayer warriors join together in one accord, asking God to show us how we can encourage our local congregations to join with other churches in our cities to help tackle this problem in our own communities. While we are at it, let’s pray for those who are on the streets and in shelters at night, asking God to provide them with protection and place a Christian individual or church group in their path who will meet their needs and help get them off the streets.
If you like and are blessed by the content created by Outrider Ministries for Christ, we encourage you to regularly visit our website while also telling your family and friends about us. Never forget – you are important to us and vital to our success at spreading the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. May His abounding love, mercy, and grace be upon you.