Hawley to Hold Fasting Event at Capitol
Missouri Republican Josh Hawley plans a one-hour fasting and prayer event after his party's midterm losses.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Elections
Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, announced a 60-minute fasting and prayer event at the Capitol set for 12 to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15. Hawley announced the event on X, citing his party's midterm losses.
Why it matters
The event reflects an intraparty response to Republican midterm setbacks that saw Democrats win dozens of new congressional seats. Hawley described the results as shocking and historic, framing the gathering as a call for national prayer.
The one-hour event is scheduled for 12 to 1 p.m. at the Capitol on December 15, 35 days after Hawley's announcement. Democrats won dozens of new congressional seats in the 2026 midterms, and Hawley's office has not provided further details.
The players
Josh Hawley
Republican senator from Missouri who has served nearly eight years in the Senate and was not up for re-election in 2026.
The details
Hawley described the event as a time of fasting and prayer for the nation, posting the announcement on X. He has served nearly eight years in the Senate and was not up for re-election in 2026.
Timeline
Early November 2026: Midterm elections held, with Democrats winning dozens of seats.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Hawley announces the fasting and prayer event on X.
Tuesday, December 15, 2026: One-hour fasting and prayer event scheduled at the Capitol from 12 to 1 p.m.
Political Context
Hawley's event echoes the 72-hour prayer session held before Missouri voters rejected state legislation restricting abortion rights, a previous instance of prayer tied to an electoral outcome in the state. Hawley has now applied a similar faith-based response to the national midterm losses.
Visitors to the Capitol on December 15 may encounter the one-hour gathering between 12 and 1 p.m. The event is not a legislative action, so it does not change any laws or voting procedures.
The takeaway
Hawley's response shows how some Republican leaders are turning to faith-based gatherings after electoral setbacks. Readers can track whether such events shape how the party approaches the next election cycle.
What happens next
The one-hour fasting and prayer event is scheduled for 12 to 1 p.m. at the Capitol on Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on the results driving this response, see Elections coverage across the United States.
