Words of hope and specially selected Bible verses have been added to the Church of England's Matter of Life and Debt online initiative to help those suffering from the agony of hopelessness in the current financial situation.

Finding hope when struggling with debt complements practical advice and resources for escaping problem debt with simple ways to develop a sense of hope for the future.

Uploaded two days before the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget, the new pages at www.cofe.anglican.org/debt/findinghope advise website visitors to look beyond the here and now, to count their blessings, and to remember that they are valuable to God, even if they lose the ‘status' that comes with jobs and money.

"There is more to life than the current financial downturn," the pages say. "If we can view the bigger picture, there is more to look forward to, and feel positive about."

They quote verses from the New Testament, including Matthew's Gospel: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

There is also an encouragement to pray to God about financial worries.

Psalms 42 and 130 are offered as words of prayer, Psalm 130 crying out: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope."

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, Rt Revd John Packer, Chairman of the Church of England's Stewardship Committee, said the new pages emphasise how the Church is there for people at all times - especially in times of crisis.

He said: "These verses are just a small part of the Church's response to the needs of those who are struggling with debt. For many, debt can be an enormous worry and, in many cases, churches are offering help, support, advice, or counselling to help people put things into perspective. With many affected by the credit crunch, there is an increasing need to support those facing redundancy and changed circumstances."

ENDS

Information

Howard Dobson, 020 7898 1456