In the midst of the recession, Christians across the UK are being urged to ‘speak up’ on behalf of the poor after a national debt counselling charity revealed the nation’s favourite anti-poverty Bible verse.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP), which operates more than 100 debt counselling centres across the UK, encouraged Christians to reaffirm God’s desire to reach the poor and disadvantaged by launching the campaign to find the verse in July.

With results now confirmed, the short but inspirational verse from Proverbs trounced the other nine options to become clear winner.

Proverbs 31:8-9 - “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" - is the charity’s core scripture.

It garnered nearly one third of all votes, with 32 per cent of all respondents confirming that it best summed up their desire for Christians to relieve poverty.

The charity recently announced that it would double its rate of expansion over the coming year, opening an additional 60 debt counselling centres to cope with the unprecedented demand for its service during the recession.

Matt Barlow, CAP Chief Executive, said: "Whilst the competition to find the favourite anti-poverty Bible verse is light-hearted, we wanted to draw attention to the fundamental commitment of Christians to help relieve poverty.

"I am thrilled that the verse chosen is such a strong statement of our desire as a charity to speak up for those who are so often overlooked in society; those struggling under the burden of unmanageable debt."

The verse will now feature as the central message for the charity’s new range of clothing, offering Christians across the UK the opportunity to nail their colours to the mast and affirm the central concern of every believer to help the poor.

The charity has also announced the winner of the prize draw run in conjunction with the voting. Sharon Stinson was selected at random from those who voted for the winning verse, and will be amongst the first in the UK to affirm the charity’s desire to get Christians to "defend the rights of the poor and needy" as she receives a free selection of clothing from the new range as her prize.

"We’re really excited to be launching our new range of merchandise which will bring the importance of poverty relief to the forefront of people’s minds, and give Christians the opportunity to nail their colours to the mast and make it clear to everyone that they care about the issue of poverty in this country," said Mr Barlow.

Ms Stinson said: "I voted for ‘speak up’ because it’s such a strong rallying call to Christians across the UK and I’m thrilled to now be one of the first people to receive the new clothing. More so than ever, people need to help those who are struggling in the recession."

The new clothing goes on sale in autumn and will be available to purchase from the charity’s website www.capuk.org

Results (in order of popularity):

1. Proverbs 31: 8-9 32%
'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.'

2. Luke 4:18-19 25%
'The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.'

3. 1 Samuel 2:8 15%
'He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honour.'

4. Deuteronomy 15:11 8%
'Be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.'

5. Proverbs 19:17 6%
'He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and he will reward him for what he has done.'

6. Psalm 82:3 5%
'Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed'

7. Proverbs 22:22 3%
'Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court.'

8. - Esther 9: 22 3%
'Celebrate by having parties and by giving to the poor and by sharing gifts of food with each other.'

9. Galatians 2:10 2%
'All they asked is that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.'

10. Luke 12:33. 1%
'Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.'