A Global Petition For Prayer
A Global Petition For Prayer
by Kevin Jenkins, President/CEO of World Vision International
World Vision endorses the call for a Global Day of Prayer to End Famine on 21 May 2017, and we ask for your support. There are 20 million people facing starvation today – more than at any time in modern history.
Famine has already been declared in areas of South Sudan, while Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen are at risk in the coming months. Already, 1.4 million children in these four countries are severely malnourished and at immediate risk of death. Millions more in countries like Kenya and Ethiopia are suffering from drought and severe food shortages.
The UN warns this could become the largest crisis since its creation in 1945.
Conflict is the common denominator across all four countries currently facing famine. Children caught up in conflict and famine face higher risk of early marriage, exploitation and domestic abuse because of the stresses on communities and families.
There is no peace without food security ... and no food security without peace.
Now more than ever, the Church needs to come together to pray and respond to those in need. In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” For people of faith, this is our moral imperative: Feed the vulnerable. Build peace.
World Vision joins the World Council of Churches and the All Africa Conference of Churches to call for a Global Day of Prayer to End Famine on 21 May 2017. As the last Sunday before world leaders meet at the G7 Summit, this is a critical moment to join together in prayer.
We strongly urge churches and praying partners worldwide to join together across countries, languages and traditions to respond to the global hunger crisis through prayer and action.
Join churches worldwide responding to this crisis through the Global Day of Prayer to End Famine, a broad coalition of more than 100 faith-based organisations representing 1 billion Christians.
- Pray and encourage others to pray.
- Give and encourage others to give.
- Advocate and encourage others to advocate.