Difference between revisions of "Fast"

Latest revision as of 16:27, 21 April 2021

To fast is to go without food or drink for a period of time. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is regularly done on Fast Sunday, usually on the first Sunday of the month for two consecutive meals. The meeting held on that Sunday, called Fast and Testimony Meeting, changes slightly from Sacrament Meeting by having members from the congregation come to the podium and bear their testimonies, instead of having speakers with prepared messages.

A trend in the years around 2020 was to intermittently fast for health reasons. However, the fasting done on a Fast Sunday is for devotional purposes and is usually accompanied by prayer to Heavenly Father for His help, relief, healing, guidance, etc. Additionally, the funds that a person would have used to purchase food are instead donated to the Church in the form of a Fast Offering for the care of the needy.

Additionally, an individual, family, or congregation may fast for a specific cause such as for one who is sick. An individual may desire the personal "communication with deity engendered by a prayerful fast when preparing for a difficult task or significant change in the circumstances of life. A person may fast when seeking spiritual enlightenment or guidance in decision making, strength to overcome weakness or endure trial, comfort in sorrow, or help at other times of special need."[1]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, President Russell M. Nelson invited people of all faiths and beliefs to join a global fast for COVID-19 relief on Good Friday. He extended the invitation to the world during the Saturday evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference. This was the prophet's second invitation to join a worldwide fast. President Nelson first invited the general public to fast in mid-March for the same purpose. President Nelson again extended his invitation through his social media accounts, reminding all of the power in calling upon God in faithful prayer and fasting to bring about relief from the current global pandemic.[2]

I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray in two days on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.

How do we fast? Two meals, or a period of 24 hours, is customary. But you decide what would constitute a sacrifice for you, as you remember the supreme sacrifice the Savior made for you. Let us unite in pleading for healing throughout the world.[3]

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued a declaration for a Good Friday intention — a celebration of the Eucharist for a particular purpose — for the pandemic. The Good Friday intention prays “for all those who suffer the consequences of this pandemic” and asks God to “look with compassion on the sorrowful condition of your children who suffer because of this pandemic; relieve the pain of the sick; give strength to those who care for them; welcome into your peace those who have died; and, throughout this time of tribulation, grant that we may all find comfort in your merciful love.”

The National Association of Evangelicals also issued a call for a day of fasting and prayer on Good Friday.

Three missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ (Jaden Taylor, Logan Allen, and Dakota Kovach) launched a Facebook group Saturday after President Russell M. Nelson called for a global fast. The group swelled to over 300,000 followers throughout the world and included Catholics, Latter-day Saints, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, evangelical Christians, Wiccans, atheists, and more on six continents. Thousands of others called for a worldwide fast through Instagram and Twitter.[4]

See also Mormon Fasting and Fast Offerings