Global Fast 2007

I ran across this news story today and I am cautiously enthusiastic about its potential. A grass-roots organization, Global Fast, has issued a challenge. On February 21, 2007, they are encouraging all of us to fast and pray to, "feed the poor, fight injustice, and foster peace." Their plan is based on the desire to honor what God called us to do in Isaiah 58 :

"The fast God desires is this:

to loosen the chains of injustice,

to set the oppressed free,

to share your food with the hungry,

and provide the poor with shelter."

Their goal is for everyone who fasts on that day to donate the money they would have spent on food to a worthy charity to feed and house the less fortunate. They don't even tell you what charity to choose, although they do have some thoughtful recommendations. The final decision on where to send your money is yours alone. I have to say, this seems like a great idea and very much in keeping with scripture. Based on my grocery store bills, I am spending around $5 per day, per person just on food I prepare. If I include all the incidental garbage we purchase, that could easily jump to $8, even $10 per person on a special day. And I don't even want to think about how much we spend on those days when we eat out! If all four of us in my family agree to fast for one day, that's $40 we could give to charity without missing it in our budget at all. And we're only one family. What if 1000 families participated? How about 10,000 families? If we all got together on this thing, we could make a serious impact on the issue of poverty in only 24 hours. The more I think about it, the more I like it. How 'bout you?

link: Global Fast 2007