Canadian Foodgrains Bank is inviting Canadians to join Christians around the world in a Global Day of Prayer to End Famine on June 10.
The call for this day of prayer comes from the All-Africa Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and the World Evangelical Alliance, which invite Christians to “stand in solidary with our sisters and brothers to support them to realize a future free of extreme poverty, hunger and violence.”
The day’s purpose is to unite faith communities around the world as a prayer and spiritual movement to:
- Promote prayer, reflection and action with information and suggestions
- Bring awareness regarding famine’s impact on the most vulnerable children and families, and help address its root causes
- Connect with church-related and other humanitarian organizations that are currently working to bring immediate relief and positive long-term change so children and families can live out God’s aspiration for a dignified, peaceful and violence-free future
- Help communities and congregations uphold each other in prayer and support, by sharing experiences, challenge and solutions.
The organizations state that, after years of steady progress in reducing world hunger, the number of hungry people globally has started to climb. “Famine, drought and armed conflict are making millions of our sisters and brothers hungry, homeless and vulnerable to conflicts, violence and abuse,” says their news release.
“We are glad to be able to join with people of faith around the world in praying for an end to hunger,” says Foodgrains Bank executive director Jim Cornelius. “Prayer is an important way Canadian Christians can stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers around the world who do not get enough to eat.” He continued, “Prayers of solidarity rooted in our hearts and minds lead to action as we seek to live out the teaching and example of Jesus.”
June 10, 2018, is the second annual Global Day of Prayer to End Famine. Last year’s day was organized in response to over 20 million people in South Sudan, northern Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen being at risk of famine, a number unprecedented in modern history. Although famine was mostly averted through the provision of critical humanitarian assistance, the risk continues to be high for millions of people to experience famine or severe hunger in 2018.
Congregations and individuals seeking resources can find them on the Global Day of Prayer website and on the Foodgrains Bank website, where donations can be made.
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