Join the global Anglican community: pray and fast for the climate on the 1st of each month

21 January 2015

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‘Pray and Fast for the Climate’ is a movement of Christians praying and fasting on the 1st of each month for a meaningful and just global climate agreement at the UN climate talks, which will take place in Paris in December 2015.

The next two dates, 1st February and 1st March, mark a fantastic opportuntity to engage your church and join together to pray and fast for the climate.  Both of these dates fall on a Sunday, and there are some notes in this document on how to raise awareness and encourage others to join you in your Sunday service.

The movement is supported by members of the ‘Faith for the Climate’ network, including: A Rocha UK, The Baptist Union, Christian Aid, Christian Concern for One World, Climate Stewards, Commitment for Life, Hope for the Future, Operation Noah, SPEAK, Tearfund, The Church of England and its Shrinking the Footprint Programme, The Methodist Church, The United Reformed Church, and Us (formerly USPG).

Our Voices, an interfaith campaign bringing faith voices together to call for a strong climate treaty,  is also linked to the movement.

Last month the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, who is the Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment, joined friends and colleagues around the world in prayer and fasting.

In December Bishop Nicholas said:

“Christians are called to bring our concerns in prayer to the God who created and sustains the world. Fasting has been used not only as a discipline and petition to God, but also as a means of drawing the attention of the powerful to injustice.

“Climate change affects people of all countries and all faiths. It should be something which unites the human race. That’s why I’m so pleased that I am being joined by fellow Anglican Bishops on three other continents today.

“The idea of prayer and fasting for the climate came from the Philippines’ lead negotiator at the 2013 climate change talks, frustrated by their lack of progress after the devastation caused to his country by Super Typhoon Haiyan.

“At this time next year, negotiators from around the world will gather for another round of UN climate talks in Paris, at which it is vital to make progress. That’s why I’m asking people to join in praying and fasting about climate change.”

You can find a prayer and fasting event near you at http://www.prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk/events

Or add your own and invite your local church and community to join you.

Monthly prayer points and other resources are also available on the ‘Pray and Fast for the Climate’ website at http://www.prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk/resources/

Do get in touch and let us know how you are taking part!  We will share stories from around the world as we hear them.

With thanks to Pray and Fast for the Climate for their contributions to this article.