Post # 195 – ***Special Fast for Relief from COVID 19***

Dear Family and Friends

I was just watching the video about Esther and how sha had all of her people fast and pray before she went into the king with her request to save her people. We too can fast and save our people. Remember the story of Esther and take courage, be prayerful and stay strong and trust in the Lord and I have faith that we will make it through this worldwide pandemic.

After I finished watching the video, I went to the Church website to check on any updates about our worldwide situation. This id when I came across this message from our Prophet President Russell M. Nelson with an invitation for us all to fast and pray.

Our Prophet President Russell M. Nelson invites us ALL to join him in a Fast for Relief from COVID 19. He has asked that we join him in a worldwide fast on Sunday, March 29, 2020. He invited all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter=day Saints to join him in this worldwide fast.

He has invites all of you who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to join with him in this worldwide fast as well. It does not matter what church you belong to. He asks that we join our faith together united in our faith and fast for relief from COVID 19.

Our Prophet President Russell M. Nelson asks that we pray for specific things during our fast: that we pray for relief from physical, emotional, and economic effects of this global pandemic. He said, “Let us unite our faith and plead for physical, spiritual, and other healing throughout the entire world.”

He then reminds each one of us that “the Lord understands the feelings” each one of us are feeling. He reminds us that the Lord “loves and cares for” each one of us, as he does as well. He also said that “we can be strengthened as we call upon God and His Son Jesus Christ.”

You can use one of the links below to hear this message in all of his own words: https://youtu.be/btwh40huKIo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btwh40huKIo#action=share

So, will each one of you join your faith with President Russell M. Nelson and all of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this fast for relief from this global pandemic????

Fasting coupled with prayer is a pretty powerful tool that we can use for the benefit of our family members and friends as well as for those around the world that we do not know. I believe there is great power in prayer and when you add fasting with your prayers it becomes even more powerful.

That is how it has worked in all of the experiences that I have had in my life since I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all those ears ag0. If you are not familiar with fasting and how it works you can go here to learn more about it: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/blog/what-is-fasting 

If you wnt to learn about how to properly fast you can read through chapter 25 in the Gospel Principles manual here:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-25-fasting?lang=eng 

here is another resource to learn about fasting: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/fast-fasting?lang=eng

With sincere prayer and a purpose for your fast you can gain so much from your fast. If you go to this next website you can find some stories that may be helpful iif you are trying to teach your children about fasting. These stories have different examples of fasting. You can read them here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/children/resources/topics/fasting?lang=eng

The following link will take you to a family home evening lesson that you can do prior to your family fasting on Sunday. You can go here to learn more: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/family-home-evening-resource-book/lesson-ideas/fasting?lang=e

There is a primary lesson about how fasting can bring s closer to our Heavenly Father. You can read more about it here; https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/primary-3/lesson-41-fasting-brings-us-closer-to-heavenly-father-and-jesus-christ?lang=eng  

This next link will take o to an article that tells you what the scriptures say about Fasting: What the Scriptures Say About: Fasting https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1972/09/what-the-scriptures-say-about-fasting?lang=eng

“Our prayers for guidance are made more powerful because fasting emphasizes the earnestness of our prayers.” This is a quote from chapter 31 in the duties and blessings of the priesthood. You can learn more about prayer and fasting here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-a/gospel-principles-and-doctrines/lesson-31-prayer-and-fasting?lang=eng

:Fasting combined with sincere prayer can help you prepare yourself and others to receive God’s blessings”. This quote comes from- True to the Faith which you can read and learn more here:   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/fasting-and-fast-offerings?lang=eng  

This next article teaches us about what the difference is between fasting and simply going without food?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2010/03/youth/to-the-point/what-is-the-difference-between-fasting-and-going-without-food?lang=eng

I do pray that these resources have been helpful to each one of you as you prepare for thus worldwide fast😊

Here is an article I would like to share with each one of you about fasting it also has some helps for a family home evening as well:  

Fasting with Power

By Elder Shayne M. Bowen Of the Seventy

Fasting is a principle of power. It changes lives.

What if there were a way to overcome our habits, addictions, and burdens? What if there were a way to gain sufficient confidence in the Lord that you could call down the powers of heaven? What if there were principles you could teach your loved ones that, if applied, would allow them to overcome personal weaknesses and draw closer to God?

As we properly understand and live the law of the fast, these desired blessings can be ours.

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6).

Our Father will free us from the bands of wickedness, He will lift our heavy burdens, and He will let the oppressed go free. In fact He promises to empower us to break every yoke. What an enabling promise, to have the power to break every yoke!

Proper and consistent fasting can help us overcome sins, bad habits, and addictions. Is there any of us who would not want to be freed from the personal burdens we carry? Fasting allows us to avail ourselves of this cleansing and purifying power.

The key is to develop the faith and spiritual strength necessary to receive the blessings of fasting. How do we do that?

Developing Spiritual Strength

To develop spiritual strength, we need to do our part. If we are not willing to work and be obedient, we should not expect the miracle. In my experience, miracles are always found through obedience and hard work.

A person who can discipline himself to fast on a regular basis in the way God has designed can resist every temptation, overcome any burden, and become free from any yoke.

Paul said, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

An omniscient Father in Heaven has provided “every needful thing” (D&C 88:119) so that His children can call upon Him with confidence and feel His love. He provides tools to allow us to overcome the temptations that beset “the natural man” (Mosiah 3:19). One of the most powerful and often-neglected tools that God has given us is the law of the fast.

As we better understand and use this tool as Father in Heaven intended, it will change our lives. We will then be able to go to the Lord in confidence and call down the powers of heaven.

My desire is to help each of us understand and receive the blessings and power that God intends to give us through the exercise of this powerful tool. A true fast, however, requires more than just going without food, as the following principles illustrate.

Principle 1: A generous fast offering blesses others.

When we bless others, God blesses us. Isaiah teaches the principle of fast offerings. He teaches us that to receive promised power and blessings, we must not only fast but also care for the poor and needy.

We qualify for God’s promised blessings and power as we care for all of His children in accordance with the fast He has chosen. “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7).

Isaiah 58:10 teaches the same fast offering principle: “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday.”

Principle 2: Fasting invites enlightenment and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

The Lord promises not only the power to overcome all of our sins but also light, health, and righteousness in our lives. And, just as with the children of Israel, He promises that His glory will surround and protect us.

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward” (Isaiah 58:8).

In the following verses we receive the promise that He will hear our prayers. We can approach Him with complete faith and confidence. Our hunger will be satisfied with the bread of life; our thirst will be quenched with the living water that never fails.

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; …

“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isaiah 58:9, 11).

Principle 3: Fasting helps us subdue the natural man.

Fasting requires discipline. Fasting helps us accomplish one of the vital purposes of life: developing self-mastery.

King Benjamin referred to this self-mastery as overcoming the natural man. He taught that the natural man is an enemy to God, always has been, and ever will be. If we don’t overcome the natural man in this life and become “a saint through the atonement of Christ” (Mosiah 3:19), we will never live with our Father in Heaven again. Our physical bodies are created in such a way that we can have a spiritual victory over the natural man each time we properly fast.

“When a person starts a fast, biochemical adjustments begin in the bloodstream to compensate for the lack of food. A carbohydrate substance known as glycogen is released from storage areas in the liver and the muscles. The body uses glycogen as food to keep cells supplied with energy. After 24 hours this food source is used up, and another source of energy is needed.

“Dr. Siegfried Heyden of Duke University’s Department of Community and Family Medicine says when this happens, the body starts looking for other energy sources. ‘The first thing happening after a 24-hour fast is the breakdown of fat cells. And these fat cells, when they break down, produce ketone bodies, as they are called. And these ketone bodies seem to have an effect on our psyche in that they make us no longer hungry.’”¹

After 24 hours without food or drink, the body (the natural man) submits to the spirit (the spiritual man). When the spiritual man is victorious, we experience greater sensitivity to the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Principle 4: Fasting intensifies prayer.

In the scriptures I have found at least 49 references to fasting—25 of those link fasting to prayer. Proper fasting magnifies our ability to pray, study, and teach.

Principle 5: Fasting prepares us to bear testimony.

President Henry B. Eyring has taught:

“The fast also helps us to feel humble and meek so that the Holy Ghost may more easily be our companion. By our fast, we both keep our covenant to care for others and we prepare to keep our covenant to bear testimony.

“Those who have prepared carefully for the fast and testimony meeting won’t need to be reminded how to bear testimony should they feel impressed to do it in the meeting. They won’t give sermons nor exhortations nor travel reports nor try to entertain as they bear witness. Because they will have already expressed appreciation to people privately, they will have less need to do it publicly. Neither will they feel a need to use eloquent language or to go on at length.”²

Principles of the Fast.

How do we incorporate these principles into our fast? Consider the following suggestions, which could help us put off the natural man and claim the promised blessings and miracles from our Father in Heaven:

• As a fast day approaches, think about a purpose for your fast. That purpose could be as simple as expressing thanks.
• Begin your fast by praying. Talk with Heavenly Father and share with Him the purpose of your fast (see D&C 59:14).\\

• Fast for two meals, or about 24 hours. (Those with medical concerns should follow doctors’ orders). Whenever hunger pains come, use them as a reminder to pray again about the purpose of your fast.
• Give a generous fast offering.
• If you feel impressed to do so, bear your testimony in fast and testimony meeting.
• During the time you would have spent preparing food and eating, engage in worthy pursuits such as studying the scriptures, writing in your journal, or serving others.
• After Sunday meetings, end your fast by praying.
• Commit to being a better person, and make plans with God on how you will improve.

Fasting is a principle of power. It changes lives. I testify that God is mindful of the fasting and prayers of all of His children, young and old. He loves us. 

He wants us to return to His presence. He is our father, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and His Atonement is real. 

They have provided “every needful thing” (D&C 88:119) to allow us to “break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6) and return home.

Helps for Home Evening

1. Invite your family to come to the dinner table. Before you eat, ask the following question: What is the difference between fasting and going hungry? Consider sharing Dr. Heyden’s comments on physical changes that come after fasting for 24 hours.
2. During dinner review the five principles of fasting. Consider choosing one of the suggestions in “Principles of the Fast” and implementing it into your next fast.
3. Discuss with family members what can make fasting difficult and share ideas of how to make it a positive experience. Conclude by listing the blessings that come from fasting.

Isaiah teaches us that to receive promised power and blessings, we must not only fast but also help care for the poor and needy by donating a generous fast offering.

I just noticed this video message from President Russell M. Nelson today, I wanted to get it out to each one of you right away. I hope you get it in time to join with all of the rest of us in this special worldwide fast. And if you do receive this message in time please be sure to tell those around you to join in on this fast as well. 

I believe that the more people we get joining our faith being united in this fast the more powerful it will be😊 again I echo our prophet’s invitation for you to join with us on Sunday March 29 in fasting for relief from this global pandemic known as COVID 19. Until my next post, please make it a good week and help us to call down the power of God to aid us in our efforts to find this relief we seek at this time.