From the hunger strikes employed by suffragettes and activists for civil rights in the United States, South Africa and England to Mahatma Gandhi's fasts as a leader in the struggle to end British colonialism to the fasts employed by the peace movement in opposition to repression in Latin America and war in Iraq, fasting has long joined people of many religious traditions with the resolutely secular in a powerful response to oppression and injustice.

Fasting is a part of many of the world's religious traditions. Moses fasted before receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert before beginning his public ministry. Observant Muslims fast every day during the month of Ramadan. Fasting accompanies many Hindu rituals and festivals.

The power of fasting in the context of the worldwide struggle for debt cancellation and economic justice comes from the joining together of the political with the personal. By fasting, we deepen our understanding of what it means to be hungry, not by choice, but by necessity.

Fasting and the experience of hunger provide an opportunity for reflection and exploration of how we in the Global North might be in more genuine solidarity with those who suffer as a consequence of our affluence.

Fasting is also a way for us to demonstrate to policy makers the depth of our commitment to see the people of the Global South free from the chains of oppressive and unjust debts.

Individuals, congregations, and local organizations can participate in the Cancel Debt Fast by committing to fast for a day or more and on the same day to contact or meet with their Member of Congress, asking the congressperson to support the Jubilee Act as well as just trade and poverty-focused development assistance to fight global poverty. On any given day during the 40-day Cancel Debt Fast, debt cancellation advocates across the United States and around the world will be engaging in this powerful act of solidarity with those who are bound by the chains of unjust and oppressive debts.

The fast will take place from September 6 to October 15 and will be organized in tandem with a public ministry of prayer and fasting led by the Rev. David Duncombe in support of the debt cancellation that is necessary to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

The Rev. Duncombe’s ministry involves an open-ended fast that began on September 6, 2007. As he fasts, Rev. Duncombe will visit House and Senate offices key to the passage of debt cancellation legislation, talking specifically to the office staff and to the office holder whenever possible about how their faith relates to the objectives of debt cancellation and an end to global poverty and hunger.

Jubilee supporters are welcome to join with Rev. Duncombe in Washington, D.C. for part or all of the 40-day fast, but they can also offer support in their communities by registering to participate in the worldwide cancel debt fast and by spreading the word to others in their communities.