Fasting

About one in ten people around the world suffer from hunger—and that’s not ok.  When Nehemiah was faced with injustice, he first fasted and prayed.

This year at Celebration of Hope, we are fasting and praying from April 15–20. You can eat simply or sacrifice something else, all in an effort to grow your heart for the challenges faced by people who are food insecure around the world. Just like Nehemiah, we will fast before taking action, then collectively give an offering to our global partners, ensuring that less people go hungry, every day.

Why fast?

• About 1 in 10 people worldwide are suffering from hunger.
• Nearly 1 in 3 people lack regular access to adequate food.
• 149.2 million children under the age of 5 suffer from stunting – to reduce this number by 50% by 2030, the annual rate of decline must double.

Conflict is still the biggest driver of hunger, with 70 percent of the world’s hungry people living in areas affected by war and violence. The Ukraine crisis has triggered food shortages for the world’s poorest people because The Russian Federation and Ukraine supply 30% of the global exports of Wheat, 20% of the global exports of maize, and 80% of the global exports of sunflower seed products. Global fertilizer prices have climbed even faster than food prices, which remain at a ten-year high themselves. Additionally, in Ukraine we see the effects of forcing people out of their homes, wiping out their sources of income and wrecking a countries’ economy.

The climate crisis is another leading cause of the steep rise in global hunger. Climate shocks destroy lives, crops and livelihoods, and undermine people’s ability to feed themselves.

About the fast

We want to create space in our lives and awareness in our bodies for the work God might do through us. Use this fast as an opportunity to think differently about the food you eat and the foods communities around the world are able to eat.

From April 15–20, eat simply (legumes, grains, and water) to offer allyship to many of the communities our partners serve in. Legumes, like beans, lentils, soybeans, chickpeas, and peanuts are rich in nutrients, protein, and fiber and form the backbone of many diets around the world. Grains, like wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, and maize, are nutritious, low in fat, and make up the dominant part of most cultures’ food.

By choosing to simplify your meals and not eat out, you will undoubtedly save money—we challenge you to donate that money towards our global partners by giving to Celebration of Hope.

Ways to fast

While fasting is often associated with food, we know there are plenty of other things you can give up to create space for God to move. Here are some non-food fasting ideas:

• Subscriptions: Think through your current subscriptions and cancel one.
• Technology: Consider fasting from certain forms of technology such as social media, television, or smartphones.
• Entertainment: Refrain from engaging in certain types of entertainment such as movies, video games, or music. Instead, use the time for prayer.
• Luxury items: Give up certain luxuries or comforts such as fancy clothing, expensive foods, or lavish outings. This can foster gratitude and simplicity.
• Specific foods or drinks: If you’re not fasting from food altogether, you could choose to abstain from specific types of food such as caffeine, sugar, or processed foods.
• Waste: Fast from excessive consumption and waste. Practice mindful consumption, reduce your carbon footprint, and strive for simplicity and sustainability.

Fasting isn’t easy, here are some ways to focus throughout the week:

• Focus on understanding, not judging | Seek first to understand the perspective and experiences of food insecure people without making assumptions.
• Recognize challenges while seeing strengths | Validate difficulties that food insecure people face, but also acknowledge the capacities, skills and resources they still have.
• Affirm dignity | Respect the autonomy and capacity of people to make their own decisions. Avoid infantilizing language that makes food insecure people seem incapable.
• Connect on shared human experiences | We all experience hardship in life—find those common threads that unite rather than divide.
• Be willing to be changed | Truly opening your heart to understanding will transform us. Come alongside, not above.
• Offer support, not rescue | Guide and empower people to take steps in a healing journey, rather than taking over or “fixing” it for people. We can support by saving money during Hungry for Hope that we are able to donate towards Celebration of Hope.
• Advocate on their behalf | Use your voice and privilege to address root injustices that impact them, not just immediate needs.

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