Call to Fast for Ceasefire

Friends, since October 7, we’ve all watched the news in horror, beholding the gut wrenching violence in Palestine – first in the slaughter of Israelis and then in the unrelenting massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. A growing number of us are aware that this violence is the result of many other incidents and forms of violence, spread out over more than a century in the Middle East, and it seems almost like the suffering will never end.

We ask ourselves, what can we do? How can we be faithful people, believing strongly in God’s vision of peace on earth, when we see such ongoing horror and brutality? 

We have felt called to do something. We began with a week-long prayer vigil. We’ve made time to educate ourselves through a community teach-in. We’ve written to congress. We’ve been careful, extending love and support to all in our wider community who fear for loved ones in Israel and Palestine, while also calling out the merciless military policies of Israel that are resulting in genocide. We’ve especially been vocal in calling out our own country’s death dealing practices of funding the annihilation of the people of Gaza.

We know that all of this violence is politically motivated, not the aims of any true expression of religious faith. We know that it is actually our faith that can heal us and save us from this cruelty.

And so we are taking a new approach this week. We are inviting anyone who is able and willing, to join us in a week-long time of fasting and prayer.

Fasting is a spiritual practice common to many faith traditions, and particularly in the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Fasting involves abstaining from food for a certain period of time, sometimes as a means of repentance, sometimes as a means of developing greater devotion to God, sometimes as a way to mourn. Fasting is sometimes a personal devotional act, but many times it is a collective action, done in solidarity with others.

In 1 Samuel, when the Hebrew people sinned against the Lord, they were instructed to fast and pray. When Nehemiah returned from exile to see Jerusalem in ruins, he mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven. When Jesus was preparing for ministry, he was led into the wilderness to fast and pray, where he was able to withstand the temptations from the devil. In the Quran, Allah says, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness.”

So friends, whether in a spirit of mourning, or a spirit of devotion, or in solidarity with those who literally have no food and water in Gaza, or as a means of preparing yourself for more faithful service to the world, we are inviting you to join us in a Fast for Ceasefire. From Monday morning January 22nd at 7:00am, until Sunday the 28th at 10:00pm, we’re inviting people to sign up for 4 hour, 8 hour, or 24 hour blocks of time, to fast and pray for an end to the violence. The goal is to have a full week where we, together, are fasting and praying at every waking moment, for ceasefire.

For some of us, fasting from food is not an option. In those cases, we would ask that you consider fasting from some other comfort or necessity for a period of time.

To join this fast, please sign up below. (Scroll within the form to fill in your information)