30,000 Christians Pray and Fast Ahead of UN Millennium Summit
The campaign specifically asks US leadership to pledge an additional $5 billion in assistance in the 2007 budget, increasing U.S. foreign assistance by one percent of the current national budget.
More than 30,000 children die every day of preventable illness and hunger, according to statistics released by the United Nations. Next month, as international leaders gather for the 2005 UN World Summit, 30,000 American Christians will fast and pray for the US government to meet its commitment to cut poverty and reduce such unnecessary deaths by two-thirds.
The 30,000 campaign is a joint operation by the World Evangelical Alliance-sponsored Micah Challenge, Sojourners, Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, and other US Christian networks. The groups hope to gather at least 30,000 people to fast and pray during the three days of the Millennium Summit, which will be held at the UN headquarters in New York from September 14-16.
“A fast can be as simple as sacrificing one meal during the course of the Summit, which can serve as a spiritual and personal act of solidarity with the billions of people across the world who go without food and basic necessities every day,” a statement from Sojourners read.
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The campaign specifically asks the US leadership to pledge an additional $5 billion in development assistance in the 2007 budget, and in that way increase U.S. foreign assistance by one percent of the current national budget. It also calls for faster action in canceling out the debt of the world’s poorest countries and establishing “just trade policies.”
The challenge follows in the heels of the larger “ONE campaign” and the “Make Poverty History” initiative that garnered unprecedented support by more than a billion people from all faith traditions last month. At that time, supporters marched in rallies and took part in concerts around the world to urge G8 leaders to reduce poverty and provide debt relief to Africa’s poorest countries. By the end of the mid-July G8 summit, world leaders pledged to double their aid to African nations.
Organizers of the 30,000 challenge hope to make a similar impact next month with their fasting campaign, as well as their prayer vigil. The vigil will include prayer, music, international speakers, press conferences and worship, and is open to all faith groups. It will be held at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the United Nations and will run through the days of the summit.
For churches that wish to further prepare for the UN summit, Micah Challenge is making available a free “church kit” with educational resources and action programs. To download the kit or to learn more, visit: www.micahchallenge.org.
