Presiding Bishop Eaton calls for prayer to end hunger

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sisters and brothers, Advent is a season of hopeful longing. Hope for the coming of the Christ child and longing for the abundant lifeChrist promised. But we know many in our communities and around the world are hungry. You know this because of the work you do in your communities through your food pantries, and in your community meals. And because of the work we do together through ELCA World Hunger.

This Advent, at the encouragement of our brother Pope Francis, we have been invited to join with all people of faith to pray for the end of hunger. I urge you to pause wherever you find yourself at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 10, and take part in a worldwide wave of prayer. Together, let’s pray that citizens and world leaders will work to find just and equitable solutions to end hunger so no person goes to bed hungry.

Through announcements and gatherings in your congregation, I ask you to invite members of your community to pause in unity with others for this special moment of prayer. You may wish to share this video message from me on YouTube at https://bit.ly/1bj7O5o.

Thank you for taking this moment to pray at noon on Dec. 10, and for the many ways that you take action through your congregation and together in ELCA World Hunger to end hunger in your community and around the world. In this season of hope and anticipation, what a fitting way for us to participate in God’s incarnate love.

Blessed Advent,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

P.S. For your possible use, below are the words that many of our brothers and sisters from the Roman Catholic Church will be praying at noon on Dec. 10.