The Value of Fasting and Prayer
Next Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. Latter-day-Saints around the world will hold their monthly fast and testimony meetings.
Fasting is an important principle of the gospel for those who desire to draw near to the Lord. One of my favorite verses on fasting and prayer:
And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved. Omni 1:26
Omni says that as followers of Christ we should offer our whole souls as an offering unto him and then tells us of the importance of fasting and prayer.
We learn that the four sons of Mosiah had the spirit of prophecy and revelation. The following verse teaches how they acquire these gifts:
But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. Alma 17:3
Fasting and Prayer—Principles of Power
I’m don’t know all the reasons Heavenly Father has given us the principle of the fast, but I do know that it is a principle of power. Fasting with prayer has been an important part of my spiritual life.
For most of my life I’ve enjoyed good health, in those days I fasted every Sunday for many years. It was relatively easy. Later in life I experienced a health challenge that prevented me from fasting. After a number of years, I asked Heavenly Father to bless me to be able to fast again. The answer to my prayer came in a wonderful manifestation of the Spirit. I’ve been able to fast every month since then even though my health challenge continues. At times fasting has been difficult, but I know that Heavenly Father provided the wherewithal for me to begin fasting again. I’m grateful to once again have the opportunity to fast and pray for the desires of my heart.
Resources:
Click Here for a General Conference talk on fasting.
Click Here about modifying a fast for health reasons.
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