The Poverty Initiative‘s Crystal Hall is in Lakeland, FL all this week where she, along with over 50 allies: farmworkers, students, activists, and religious leaders, are participating in the Fast for Fair Food.  The six-day hunger strike (March 5-10) is led by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and is part of their ongoing campaign to pressure companies to pay farmworkers a fair wage.  The campaign is currently directed at the Publix chain of supermarkets in the Southeastern US.

Below is a prayer based on Matthew 5:3-10 that Crystal led on the second day of the fast.   To see more powerful images from the strike and to learn more about CIW follow this link.

Crystal Hall in Lakeland, Florida

Holy and living God,
You are a God of justice.
You are a God of liberation.

From the words of Matthew we know
That you bless those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
You will fill them with good things.
You bless those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness.
Theirs is the kingdom of God.

Knowing that our cause is righteous and just,
We give thanks for a new day.
We give thanks for the inspiration to commit to sacrifice.
We give thanks for this fast as a witness to the work of justice in this world.

So we ask your blessing this morning:
For us as we hunger for righteousness.
For the law enforcement with us,
That they too might know your loving protection.
And especially for Publix,
That they may come to the table of mercy and justice.

In your many names and the name of Jesus,
Amen