Operation Noah have launched a new monthly day of prayer & fasting for the climate – information from their website is below:

Year of prayer and fasting | Operation Noah

‘Pray and fast for the climate’ is an initiative to mobilise Christians to fast and pray on the first of every month for a meaningful and just climate agreement. We hope this will be agreed in December 2015 at the Paris climate summit.

Background to our year of prayer and fasting

Typhoon Haiyan brought devastation to the Philippines just as the climate negotiations were beginning in Warsaw in November 2013. Filipino delegate Yeb Saño, despairing both at the devastation of his country and the slow progress made by world leaders in reaching any kind of progress towards a new agreement on tacking climate change, announced that he would fast either until the end of the two-week conference or until real progress was made. He has continued to fast on the first of every month, joined by people from all around the world. ‘Pray and fast for the climate’ is an exciting initiative for Christians that builds on Yeb’s commitment.

Prayer and fasting for the climate: the vision

In Micah 4:1-4 and Isaiah 2:2-3 we read of a similar vision given to both prophets independently, of the holy city raised up on a mountainside, visible from far away, shining with the glory of God and the light and hope of Christ (Isaiah 60:1-3). People stream towards it from all nations. Our desire is for God’s kingdom to be raised up in our world and for our prayers around the world to join, to grow and to build a platform upon which the right decisions will be made by politicians, leaders and negotiators to allow all people to hope, to live, to dream (Acts 2:17-21) and to shape a greener world (Revelation 21:1-4).

We doubt if there has ever been a more crucial time for us to pray together for progress in climate negotiations. Time is running out for practical and binding steps to be taken to reduce emissions and prevent runaway climate change. And we owe it to God, who created the world we depend on and told us to steward it and to love our neighbours. Our prayers and fasting will build a powerful platform for change, and strengthen us as we campaign and inspire others.

Launch event

‘Pray and fast for the climate’  is being launched on Saturday 1st November 2014 with services (to date) in London, Brighton, Coventry and Oxford (other venues are very likely to be added). Operation Noah are hosting the central launch service in St John’s, Waterloo, with Rev Steve Chalke as the speaker. It will be followed by a time of reflective prayer. Do put this date in your diaries and come along.

How to get involved

People may choose to fast and pray for the whole day, to fast during their lunch break or to pray with their home group in the evening. The hope is for this prayer movement to spread far and wide. Venues are being established all around the UK and we will be updating this page with further news.

We will be providing resources to support each time of prayer: simple worship to begin and end the time of prayer, reflective prayers, stories and topical monthly prayers regarding key meetings and negotiations. Can you make plans to get involved, find a local venue and seek out others keen to join you?

Support this initiative

Operation Noah has been key in establishing this initiative. We would really welcome your response, your involvement and your donations towards this exciting venture.

The ‘Faith for the Climate’ network

‘Pray and fast for the climate’ is a joint initiative from the network ‘Faith for the Climate’, whose members include Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD, A Rocha, Operation Noah, Christian Concern for One World and others.

This article can be used and adapted by any organisational or church publication to publicise the ‘Pray and fast for the climate’ initiative.