Alright, let’s get real about fasting today.
“Let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy FASTING may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy JOY may be full.
“Verily, this is FASTING and prayer, or in other words, REJOICING and prayer.” D&C 59:13-14
To be honest, fasting has always been tough for me.
I’ve always obeyed and fasted on Fast Sunday, but I’ve known I’ve had a disconnect.
Here are my two takeaways that I’ve learned as I’ve tried to focus on finding the purpose and joy within fasting:
First, pray, pray, pray.
I love this pretty popular quote from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, who said:
“Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry.”
This is the first thing that has helped me find some JOY in fasting.
When I pray, specifically at the open and close of my fasting experience, I feel like my fasting has more purpose.
And my fasting has in turn elevated my prayers to feel even more genuine.
But here’s the other thing that has helped my fasting journey recently:
Really understanding that FASTING and FAST OFFERINGS have an inseparable connection.
I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t super familiar with fast offerings when I started living on my own. I feel like it’s just not something we talk about a ton.
The Church Handbook states that:
“The Lord has established the law of the fast and fast offerings to bless His people and to provide a way for them to serve those in need.
“When members fast, they are asked to give to the Church a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food they would have eaten.
“If possible, they should be generous and give more.”
Remembering that my fasting and accompanying fast offering is also a way of taking care of the poor and the needy in my immediate community, those who may be fasting breakfast out of necessity and not out of commandment, has given me huge growth in my understanding of and love for fasting.
In fact, sometimes, it brings me true joy.
If you feel like you’ve found joy in fasting, I’d love to hear it! What has helped you rejoice?
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
2 Responses
I am hoping that your comment about fasting out of necessity and not out of commandment will help me. I will be honest, I have struggled with fasting my entire time in the church which is 55 years this November. I do know that fasting for a purpose helps. And filling your Sabbath days with things of the Lord helps so that your mind is not on food. I have a testimony of the word of wisdom, I have a testimony of tithes and offerings. I love being generous in both of those areas. But I’m afraid by the time fast Sunday rolls around I am not fasting for a purpose I am just going hungry. Diligence wins the race! I have learned that you need to start preparing for fast Sunday days beforehand. Be thinking about what you’re fasting for, and it helps to read many things that have been taught about fasting and having Joy. There’s no greater Joy than self-mastery. No greater Joy than your spirit ruling your flesh! So I won’t give up!
I relate so much to what you are saying! Thank you for sharing <3