I have seen firsthand how our broken immigration system tears families apart.  Now that we are so close to passing immigration reform, I am pushing myself to do all that I can to demand that Speaker John Boehner and other House leaders bring reform to a vote. I am taking part in the Fast for Families on the National Mall.

We fast as an act of faith — faith in the power of our communities, and in our country’s ability to pass reform that will keep our families together. But our fast alone will not bring about change. We need support and action from our movement to make sure that the message of our fast has the impact it needs in the House of Representatives.

Today is a Day to Act, Fast, and Pray — a national day of action.

It is our moral responsibility to do everything we can to show our leaders the urgent need to stop family separation and to make immigration reform a reality. Help ensure that our message is heard in Congress right now.

Some fasters have gone more than three weeks without food. I am now on the 13th day of my fast, and I will take part until my body cannot continue. Although we face physical pain from hunger, we know that it is nothing compared to the pain thousands of families face from deportation.

As my friend and fellow faster Eliseo Medina said, “We’re tired. Feeling weak. But you know, as tired as we are, there is still a hunger within us for justice. A hunger to be heard. A hunger for the end of this suffering.”

I have faith that we can move our leaders to act, but we need your prayers and your voice. Send a message to leaders in Congress now.

With faith,

Rudy Lopez Reform Immigration FOR America

PS: You can learn more about the Fast for Families at Fast4Families.org.