Redwoods Hunger Action: Bread for the World - Thanksgiving and Dec 10 World Prayer Day to End Hunger

Dear Patty,

"We always give thanks to God for all of you" is the way that Paul opens several of his letters to the early church. As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself sharing his prayer. I am so thankful for you. Your support—whether through your prayers, letter-writing, giving, visits with your members of Congress, or outreach to your congregation—literally helps to change the lives of millions of hungry people all over the world.

This year, Thanksgiving weekend also marks the beginning of Advent, the season of anticipation of Christ's coming. During Advent we will again hear the story of a young girl whom God chose for an extraordinary purpose. Rereading that story in Luke’s Gospel, I am struck that Mary begins her song with praise for a God who "filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty." It is this God who will become incarnate in her son, who too will fill the hungry with good things.

As a follower of Jesus, I don't understand the actions of the current Congress, which is considering cutting about 4 million people from SNAP. Reversing God's priorities, Congress seems determined to fill the rich with good things and send the hungry away empty. We can't let that happen.

As you gather with family and friends around your Thanksgiving table, I urge you to pray a simple prayer with me and other Bread members:God, empower us and inspire our leaders to fill the hungry with good things.

I also invite you to join an international stream of prayers that will happen on Dec. 10. Pope Francis will call on people around the world to pray on this day for an end to hunger. We are inviting Bread members to join members of many other faith communities and Roman Catholics in the United States on this day of prayer. People will be asked to pray at noon local time in what will become a wave of prayer across time zones. This event could be a means by which God touches many, many hearts–and perhaps moves our nation to get serious about hunger and poverty. An email next week will provide suggested prayers and other information.

Thank you for being a part of God’s work and for believing in our audacious vision of ending hunger. I pray that your holiday celebrations will be filled with God’s abundant blessings.

With gratitude,