Josh Hawley’s One-Hour Fasting Plea After Midterm Losses Draws Online Mockery

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is facing a wave of online jokes after calling on Christians to fast and pray for the nation for just one hour following major Republican losses in the midterm elections. Hawley was not up for election himself, but said the results demanded a response. In a post on X, the 46-year-old evangelical Presbyterian described the Democratic gains as “shocking and historic” and invited Christians to gather at the Capitol. He said he would host a fast and prayer session from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, urging people to “seek the Lord.” The proposed 60-minute fast quickly became the focus of the reaction. Christopher Hale, a Catholic writer and former Obama White House staffer, contrasted Hawley’s plan with the 40 days of fasting described in the Bible. Former National Security Council staffer Tommy Vietor also responded with a brief, incredulous “A whole hour?” Other users mocked the senator’s plan as an unusually short display of religious devotion, while a pro-Democratic group joked that its members would simply postpone lunch until 1 p.m. The article notes that Hawley has previously cited his faith while advocating against access to the abortion medication mifepristone. Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore added a pointed political criticism. She said Hawley had voted to cut food assistance, arguing that the senator could use the hour to reflect on the circumstances of Americans who go without food. Moore cited a passage from the Gospel of Matthew about feeding the hungry and caring for others. Writer Charlotte Clymer invoked another verse from Matthew, this one warning against public displays of prayer. Former Trump White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews also joined the criticism, posting a sarcastic message of “thoughts and prayers.” Hawley’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The article says the Capitol gathering is planned for December 15, a few weeks after the midterm results that prompted his appeal.