Salvationists call for day of prayer for creation

Friday, 28 August 2015 I For immediate release

The leader of The Salvation Army in South Africa has joined the call of church leaders for a day of prayer and fasting for creation on 1 September 2015.

Territorial Commissioner Keith Conrad, who recently took up the position as leader of Salvationists in southern Africa, said: “Climate change is increasingly having an impact on communities, including those of our area, and on creation. As stewards of God’s creation, we must do what we can to care for our precious resources.
“The future of humanity lies in our having the courage and determination to make the changes we need to our lives and ways in which we do business and industry that will conserve these resources.
“As Christians, we are called to tap into the power of prayer for change, and I therefore join the call to make 1 September an annual day of prayer and fasting for our creation,” he said.
The first day of September has become a significant date for Christians caring for the environment. The Orthodox Church has celebrated a Day of Prayer for the Environment on 1 September since 1989 and earlier this month Pope Francis established a ‘World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’ in the Roman Catholic Church which will be held annually on the same date.

Southern African Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has set out his own commitment to fasting and praying for climate justice on 1 September: “I fast in solidarity with children who will go to bed hungry tonight because their parents cannot afford the rising prices of food. I fast in solidarity with climate refugees who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to climate change. And I fast in solidarity with people of faith around the world because we know that hope is rising.”

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God, and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination.
The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through approximately 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.

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