At a 30-hour famine (at which middle and high school youth fasted for 30 hours) on March 23, 2007, the St. James' youth group learned that unbelievably 29,000 children die every day from malnutrition and preventable diseases-a staggering, sobering, and very sad statistic. Given the high standard of living most of us living in the U.S. enjoy, it seems inconceivable that in today's world we lose 29,000 children each and every day.

That evening, the youth discussed what they could do as individuals and together with groups to which they belong to try and make a difference. They envisioned what it would be like to be the generation to become adults in a poverty free world. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by the Episcopal Church challenge each of us to act (see www.er-d.org). At a minimum, each diocese, congregation, and parishioner is asked to commit to .7% giving toward the MDG by 07/07/07. In addition to giving money, you can become an advocate, educate others, get involved in a project, go on a mission trip, or do what you can do to help solve the problem.

Something we can all do is pray over the situation. St. James' sponsors a prayer shawl ministry through which individuals knit or crochet shawls to give to those in need of special prayers. The youth discussed whether they believe prayer really makes a difference. If it doesn't, why would we go to the trouble of saying our prayers and even making prayer shawls? Several examples were shared of God's obvious intervention through prayer, including one that several of the youth had experienced themselves. A few years ago on the way to a beach retreat we saw some signs in front of churches that said, "Pray for Rain." When we learned that the farmers in the area were desperate for rain to avoid losing their crops, we decided to pray for rain Friday night before going to bed. Though rain was not forecast, it poured down rain all weekend and the kids couldn't have been happier. We played indoor games, went to the movies, played miniature golf in the rain, and had a great weekend.

In that spirit, at the 30-hour famine the youth constructed a giant prayer shawl of what was hoped to be 29,000 paper links. A dozen youth worked from 9:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. to construct a 15 ft. long prayer shawl, which ended up being made up of 10,000 links. As with the real prayer shawls made at St. James', a prayer was said as each and every link was put into place. Anyone would have been humbled to see the youth working in near silence as they prayed for the children of the world.

As a first step to meeting the MDGs, the youth started with a 30-hour fast to experience ever so slightly how half of our world lives; they committed to finding ways to be part of the solution; and they bent God's ear with 10,000 prayers. They urge you to join with them in whatever way you can. Now is the time!