Fast Sunday

Once each month, usually on the first Sunday of the month, Latter-day Saints fast. It is a practice that allows us to come closer to God and remember our dependence on Him. My favorite scriptural passage on fasting is found in Isaiah 58, where it describes the proper mindset of fasting and outlines the rich blessings that flow from a proper fast.

Two thoughts on fasting: First, I have always loved the elegance and efficiency of the Lord's program of fasting. Fasting, when done in the proper spirit, edifies me and draws me closer to God. It builds my spirit and allows me the opportunity to express my devotion to my Father and His Son. Yet my fasting also blesses the lives of others. Inherent in the fast is to "draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul" (Isaiah 58:10). In the Church, this goal is facilitated through the fast offering, whereby I contribute (at least) the value of the meals that I would have eaten, the funds going to feed the hungry and support the needy. What an elegant program! Fasting helps me spiritually and others temporally, and does so efficiently and simply.

Second, though I have fasted many times, it is still not an easy thing. After a few hours I feel discomfort; after missing two meals, I feel quite weak. How dependent we are on regular nourishment! And if my body weakens so quickly without food, how quickly must my spirit weaken without spiritual nourishment. No wonder we are taught to pray always (Luke 21:36; Alma 34:17-27; D&C 88:126). No wonder we are encouraged to make the scriptures a part of our daily lives. How thankful I am for the principle of fasting!