The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Michael Perham, has authored a collect (a short prayer) to be used as a focal point for over 2,500 congregations, Christian organisations and individuals pledged to fast against the rise of UK Hunger on April 4th as part of the End Hunger Fast campaign.
The prayer calls for “all to have a place at the table” while statistics released by the Trussell Trust earlier this month reported that their food banks gave out three days’ emergency food over 600,000 times between April and December 2013, a situation deemed by 71% of the public a “national disgrace”.
End Hunger Fast is asking individuals across the UK to fast on 4th April 2014 in solidarity with the thousands of Britons forced to turn to foodbanks or go hungry. Bishop Michael is one of 27 bishops who signed an open letter and has personally participated in the fast this Lent.
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Michael Perham, said: “There are many ways that we can show our support for End Hunger Fast, and, as Christians, we believe in a God who hears and answers our prayers. I hope that others will join me as we continue to raise awareness of this issue of food poverty so that we can begin to tackle this issue in a practical and meaningful way. We cannot simply sit back while people struggle to feed themselves and their families.”
The collect reads:
God of mercy and of plenty,
your Son fasted in the wilderness
and shared food with the people in a desert place:
give us courage to resist the injustices around us,
the will to end the hunger that shames our society
and a share in your vision for a new world
where all shall have a place at the table of the feast;
through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.
Rev Keith Hebden, Founder of End Hunger Fast, said,
“We’re grateful to Bishop Michael for authoring this prayer, a solemn and simple call that will be used by thousands on April the 4th on the National Day of Fasting.
More and more families are just one unexpected bill away from facing empty cupboards. This Lent has been a time to reflect on the urgent moral crisis that is hunger in our midst. It is time for government to play its part and act to make work pay, to fix food markets and to ensure the welfare system provides a robust last line of defence against hunger.”
Rev ChristineFrench says:
March 28, 2014 at 3:13 pm -
I sincerely hope that when Lent ends, this fantastic campaign is able to continue…..because those at the margins will still continue to face hardship just trying to survive. As many are, I’m very active with my local food bank (in a rural context) but as well as helping at a micro level, this campaign has helped me to feel part of the bigger picture. Hence the need for it to continue – in some shape or form. – Blessings – Christine
Sharon says:
March 28, 2014 at 7:03 pm -
From the beginning of this campaign it has bothered me that there has been no mention of prayer alongside the call to fasting. Prayer is the vital ingredient that separates a spiritual fast from a political protest or hunger strike. Prayer is the way we invite God into the struggle. In prayer we give God chance to show us our own hearts. As we pray we come to the place of humbly acknowledging that we are individually and corporately part of the problem.
I am delighted that our Bishop has written this collect and offered it to be used next Friday. May the God of mercy hear our prayer.
TommyGee says:
March 28, 2014 at 8:21 pm -
Please see my letter pubs in today’s church if England newspaper. We need to do so much more than food banks and loan sharks.
Tommy
Val Smith, Ilkley says:
April 1, 2014 at 7:28 pm -
Churches Together in Ilkley set up a food collection in Sept. 2013.Tesco’s and Booth’s our largest supermarkets allow us to have collecting boxes in their stores. Salvation Army in Keighley help with the packaging and distribution of the food. We supply families in both Ilkley and Keighley, the wealthiest and poorest parts of Kris Hopkins, constituency. The families we supply are working families struggling because of Benefit cuts in an area where rented accommodation is mostly private sector and expensive; and public transport costs eat into household budgets.Sadly there are still many who sit in judgement onthe poor and needy, clinging to “myths about poverty” to justify their inaction. Worse many of our M.P.s have the same mind-set
#FastApril4th | Bishop's Blog says:
April 2, 2014 at 8:35 am -
[…] We’re only a couple of days away from the national day of fasting on 4th April, when thousands across the nation will choose to go without food on behalf of individuals and families forced to turn to food banks or go hungry. As well as a time of personal reflection, the fast is an outward symbol of our call for action – please don’t stay silent! You could share a picture of you and your empty plate at the dinner table on Facebook, Twitter, your blog or via email. Let’s get #FastApril4th trending! And please pray – see this Collect authored by the Bishop of Gloucester, calling for will and courage to end hunger. […]