For the next 30 hours, there is going to be plenty of “hunger” in my life.

You see, there is a group of kids from my confirmation class who will be participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine to raise money and awareness for world hunger. The famine started at 12 noon today (Friday) so there’s not a lot of hunger going on yet, but there will be.

The kids will arrive at church at 6:30 PM for a lock in, where they will doing some activities and Bible studies tonight. Tomorrow (Saturday) they will go on a scavenger hunt for the food shelf in town and then volunteer there for a couple hours. They will do some other services projects along with more activities and Bible study. At 6 PM (Saturday) we will gather for worship and Holy Communion and then break the fast with a bountiful spaghetti dinner.

And even though we will be getting pretty hungry maybe tonight but definitely tomorrow, it will be nothing compared to those who go without food for days or longer. Really, most of us have no idea what real hunger is like. For the most part we have food to eat everyday. And even if you don’t, there are food programs and food shelves and feeding ministries and the like readily available in this country (for the most part). But hopefully these kids get a taste of what hunger is like and feel more empathy for those who go without. Maybe next time they will go the extra mile to help the food shelf in town. Maybe they will notice that classmate who doesn’t get much to eat. Maybe they will reach out even farther to support world hunger initiatives.

But even more than doing the tangible thing of feeding people, my hope and prayer is that their hunger and thirst for God increases and drives them to serve their neighbor, not out of guilt or pity, but out of love for them. For when we hunger and thirsty for the righteousness that only God gives through faith in Jesus, then we will be driven to feed others (physically and spiritually).

So I ask you to be in prayer for these kids for the next 30 hours (and beyond). May God increase their hunger for Him and for their neighbors all over the world.

Father God, may we never lose our hunger for you. May our thirsty for the living water of Jesus never fade. And may we not lose sight of those who hunger and thirst in any way. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Pastor -|—