Philadelphia area churches to offer up prayers for unemployed

On Sunday, suburban Philadelphia congregations will offer up a prayer for the unemployed.

According to organizer Cheryl Spaulding, the planned day of prayer was partly born of frustration.

“We have very limited resources to suggest to people and we clearly cannot affect the support systems of government,” she said. “And we clearly can’t affect the government and what it’s doing. So it’s time to reach out to more than that, a higher call.”

Spaulding runs St. Joseph’s People, a support group for the unemployed from a church named after the patron saint of workers.

She hopes the prayers will get the attention of people in the pews:

“Look at these people around you in your community who are unemployed,” Spaulding said. “Because they’re in pain. They need food. They need a roof over they’re head because they’re having trouble.

“And the other part is to pray for the opening of the hearts of these employers.”

The more prayer the better, she says. Spaulding also has distributed copies to the Sisters of St. Francis and members of St. Joseph’s University.