National Week of Prayer, Action for Compassionate Priorities Kicks Off
WASHINGTON – Protecting America's poor has been taken to the battlefront this week as the faith-based community joined congressmen and American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to kick off National Week of Prayer and Action for Compassionate Priorities.
As the House and Senate reconcile their votes on the budget bill before the year closes, religious leaders have reached the culmination in their yearlong effort of appealing to Congress for the millions of poor families in the nation. If the bill is approved, it could cut up to $50 billion in spending on such programs as Medicaid, Food Stamps, student loans and housing.
"This isn't about politics,” said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee. "It's about fighting for America's families. It's about fighting for what is right."
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Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) called the bill an unprecedented move in the history of American history. As a Congress member who opposes the outstanding budget cuts and tax cuts, Meek mentioned that beyond the political pressure, it is time for the faith-based community to step it up a notch during these crucial weeks where the future of the poor is at stake.
"The faith-based community is the last opportunity for the [poor] people to survive," Meek told The Christian Post on Monday.
Senators and Representatives will meet hundreds of local believers throughout the nation this week with prayer vigils planned in 23 states on Dec. 14. Religious leaders will take their prayers to the nation's capital that same day to hold a National Prayer Vigil on Moral Budget. There, hundreds of interfaith heads will get on their knees to pray, said Jim Wallis of Sojourners and Call to Renewal.
"It's time to take our prayers and presence to the capital," said Wallis during a call at a press conference on Monday.
The prayer and action week, spearheaded by Wallis, will run in conjunction with television advertisements that urge congress members to oppose the final budget and tax cut bills. Run by AFSCME and ECAP (Emergency Campaign for American Priorities), the ads will be aired in Washington, D.C., and the districts of seven moderate Republicans.
Advertisements will also go out on billboards and newspapers to give voice to the millions of poor people who don't have one.
"The faith community is outraged and is drawing a line in the sand against immoral national priorities," said Wallis. "This week we draw that line more visibly."
