Fasting for a Purpose

I am going to take a short break from all my chatter about traveling, fun, and food to talk about food, in a different way. Congress is proposing major cuts to programs the serve the least of these in the US. These cuts will cause people in the US to go without food, some even to the point of starvation. Supposedly it is because we as a nation are broke, and well we are, but there has to be a better way.

Most of my information has come through Sojourners and Bread for the World. They are Christian activist organizations that seek to serve the poor and oppressed in through policy. I have a great deal of respect for their work and have been supporting them in various ways for years. I trust them when they say that the new budget cuts are immoral. Further, when I read that these cuts are to programs like WIC, a program designed to feed women, infants and children, I have to agree that something has gone morally awry.

I have been reading about terrible budget cuts for a while. Most of them seem to make things worse. I am a bit concerned about a nation that is giving out tax cuts but not willing to give out food.

Some of the emails sent by Bread they reference the story of Ester. When she learned of the plot against the Jews she responded with a request for fasting:

¹⁶ “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” ~Esther 4:16

It might be time for some prayerful fasting. Maybe if those of us not in congress fast and pray our representatives will have the courage to go forward in truth and seek protection for the poor that are perishing.

Check out Bread for the World and Sojourners for more information about how you can participate.