“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.” (Matthew 25:35-36,NIV)
Jesus identified Himself with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the poor, and the imprisoned. He said that whatever is done for the least of these is done for Him, calling us to care for the poor and the hungry around the world.
According to the 2021 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, jointly published by five international agencies including the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), the number of people suffering from hunger grew from 650 million in 2019 to an estimated 810 million in 2020—an increase of 160 million. This means roughly 1 in 10 people globally faces food shortage.
Concern Worldwide and the Global Hunger Index have released annual reports since 2006. According to the 2021 Global Hunger Index, Somalia ranked as the most at-risk country, classified as “extremely alarming”—the most severe level. Ongoing civil war, compounded by natural disasters and COVID-19, has pushed Somalia’s undernourishment rate to 59.5%, with a child mortality rate under age five at 11.7%, the highest alongside Nigeria. Following Somalia, countries such as Yemen, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar were also identified as being in a “serious” state of hunger crisis.
The greatest cause of the global food crisis is not the COVID-19 pandemic—but armed conflict. In fact, 8 out of the 10 countries most at risk of hunger are currently in conflict. Armed violence has disrupted every part of the food system, from production to transportation, distribution, and consumption. In 2019 alone, the number of people suffering from hunger rose by 10 million compared to 2018. That single-year increase was more than double the five-year increase of 60 million since 2014. This surge represents 13% of the world’s population, which is more than the entire population of the African continent combined.
Children have been hit hardest by these conflicts. In 2020, an additional 6 to 7 million children under the age of 5 suffered from acute malnutrition. The number of children affected by stunting rose by 14% to 54 million. An estimated 149 million children (22%) are affected by stunted growth, and 45 million (6.7%) are experiencing wasting or severe underweight. Most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This rise in malnutrition and stunting may result in over 10,000 child deaths every month.
》Prayer Points
1. Jesus’ command to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and clothe the poor is what the Church today must obey. Let us pray that churches in Korea and across the nations will faithfully respond to this call through prayer and acts of mercy for those who are hungry.
2. Although many countries, organizations, and churches are working to end global hunger, the biggest obstacle remains —armed conflict. Let us pray that the root causes of human greed and sin will be confronted and resolved, and that God’s hand of mercy will reach the hungry and suffering, especially the children.
》Scripture Prayer
(Proverbs 12:6–15,NIV) 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. 8 A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. 9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. 12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. 13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. 14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. 15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Let us remember the Lord who, though He was rich, became poor for our sake. Let us repent for the sin of withholding the resources God has given us because of our greed and selfishness. May the Church across the nations—renewed in righteousness—will turn its heart toward the hungry, intercede for them, and be moved to love, serve, and bless one another generously.
2. Let us pray that channels would open to deliver food to children around the world —those suffering from hunger, malnutrition, stunted growth, and wasting. May the governments and people in famine-stricken nations turn from false idols and seek God’s mercy as they cultivate and harvest their own land. Let us pray that the youth in every nation will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, the source of life, and that thanksgiving and praise will overflow from their lips.
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