A few weeks ago, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued a joint statement:
For Such a Time as This: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Advocacy
You can read about it and watch both presiding bishops’ messages by following this link.
I strongly encourage you to consider this opportunity to pray and discern how the Spirit calls each and all of us to engage in the vital act of living as disciples and followers of Jesus.
While I know many bristle at the notion of advocacy and the idea that the church would engage in such acts, labeling this as “too political,” it is this very critique which should prompt more prayer and more discernment, not less. It should encourage every person of faith to seek greater wisdom and understanding in hopes that we might do more than observe the pain of others or judge them for their (and our!) state of being. We must see the way in which we can respond to their plight.
This is deeply personal work. It is also deeply Christian community work. And it is something we are all empowered and expected to wrestle with all of our lives.
Please hear the invitation to prayer, fasting, and advocacy as a Matthew 25 moment.
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”