"For Such A Time As This" Pray. Fast. Act.

Through December 2018 with the close of the 115th Congress, the ELCA joined together with The Episcopal Church to #PrayFastAct For Such a Time As This. We prayed for those who are living in or at the edge of poverty. We fasted, reminding ourselves of what it feels like to go without. And we acted, calling and writing members of Congress to say that poverty matters to us and that we must not forget the most vulnerable among us.

The presiding bishops of the ELCA and the Episcopal Church issued a joint invitation on May 18, 2017 to a season of prayer, fasting and advocacy. The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA and The Most Reverend Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, extended this call out of concern for proposed deep cuts to programs that are vital to hungry people struggling with poverty. They summon our churches to practices of spiritual devotion that undergird a discipline of public witness with and on behalf of the neighbor.

Read the Joint Call to Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy. (Spanish)

Watch the video invitations from Presiding Bishop Eaton and Presiding Bishop Curry.

ELCA Advocacy supported this call, equipping the ELCA Advocacy Network by:

1. Sending resources early each month to support faith practices of prayer and fasting, along with background materials to equip advocates to prevent elected leaders from cutting programs that work to eliminate hunger and poverty across the country and around the world or adopting policies that would harm our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. Each month we lifted up a different area of concern, including food, water, racial justice, immigration and the environment.
2. Encouraging Lutherans to prayer and fasting on the 21st day of each month through the close of the 115th Congress. We fasted on the 21st of the month because that is the day when 90% of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits run out for families, making the remainder of the month a hungry time. On this day, an advocacy alert also invited participants to speak their faith by sending a message to their members of Congress.

“We have heard from individuals and congregations who have experienced new commitment and clarity through prayer, fasting and taking action together,” says the Rev. Amy Reumann, director, ELCA Advocacy in a video expressing thanks at the close of the campaign. “We hope these faith practices continue to undergird and shape our public witness,” because this campaign is over, but our work continues. For ongoing engagement resources and opportunities, visit the ELCA Advocacy page.