My first day at IHOPU = Success. Enlightening, inspiring, but also sobering. I'm going to list some statistics and I don't want you to just browse over or skip them, I want you to read them and really have them sink in.
Hunger
~ 1.02 Billion people do not have enough to eat - that's more than USA, Canada and Europe combined.
~ 925 Million in developing countries alone are hungry.
For $35 million a day, we could feed every hungry person
Everyday:
$225 billion is spent to feed into obisity in America.
$105 million worth of food is thrown out.
$98 million is spent on weight loss products.
$42 million is spent on pet food.
For $35 million a day, we could feed every hungry person
Only $5 million a day is spent on aid for the hungry.
War
World military expenditure in 2007 is estimated to have reached $1.3 Trillion in current dollars...the USA contributed to half of that amount.
For $35 million a day, we could feed every hungry person
Death
Worldwide abortion statistics 1920-2008:
~ 961 million total abortions...by now, in 2011, at over 3 million abortions per month globally, that's close to 1 billion abortions in the last 91 years.
~ 1 in 5 pregnancies end in abortion.
Right now the most dangerous place is not the battlefield, but in your own mother's womb.
Changing the laws will not end abortion...almost half are done illegally. The issue isn't the laws, it's the heart of mankind...which is why prayer is crucial in this day and age.
Slavery/Sex Industry (Human Trafficking)
~ 27 million slaves worldwide...slavery is also illegal worldwide....laws are not the issue here, it's the heart of mankind
~ Child trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world
~ Every minute 2 children are forced into prostitution.
~ $90 is the average cost of a slave...
Think of how much dinner and a movie would cost you and some of your friends...
~ Human trafficking is a $7 billion per year industry
~ Pornography is a $57 billion per year industry
For $35 million a day, we could feed every hungry person
People ask "If God is a god of Love, then why is He not providing to those in the 3rd world countries?"
That's not the question we should be asking. The question we should be asking is, "Is this issue in our world because of lack of provision, or because of mankind's greed?"
In Luke 18, Jesus talks about the widow who kept going to an unjust judge, asking for justice in a certain area in her life. This wicked judge refused until he could no longer stand her constently begging him, and making him look bad. So if an unjust, wicked judge will do good for the oppressed, how much more will a Just, loving God do for His people? Especially His people who cry out for justice to be done on the earth.
And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. (Luke 18:7-8)
