Just a Thought

Calling All People: Join the Fast for Relief

Here’s the thing about our current situation—everyone, no matter who we are, where we live, or what we do, feels the impact of this global pandemic. It’s impossible to escape. But despite the shared anxiety, fear, and uncertainty about our new “now,” we have reason to hope. Why? Because there is something tangible each of us can do to turn the situation around. And I’m not just talking about staying home (although that’s super important). All people everywhere can join a worldwide fast for relief on Sunday, March 29, 2020.

A Prophet’s Voice

Throughout the history of the world, God has been as consistent as He has been trustworthy. He calls prophets to lead people to safety. If you’re a believer in the Bible, you’ll recognize that truth in the stories of Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and others. They were prophets called by God to lead His people out of precarious situations if they would just listen and believe. Some listened and were blessed. Others did not and suffered the consequences.

The pattern is no different today. President Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God. Amid the hum of an overwhelmed world, his voice has been consistently calm, encouraging, admonishing, and comforting. First, he invited people to consider how they hear the voice of the Lord. He asked us to practice our listening skills so we recognize it when it comes. Then, he shared a message of hope with the world, a message that has resonated with people of all faith traditions. 

Recently, he asked all people of faith to join in a worldwide fast on Sunday, March 29, 2020 “to pray for relief from the physical, emotional, and economic effects of this global pandemic” (“Prophet Invites All to Fast and Pray for Relief from COVID-19”). This is something we can all do together. And the best part is, it will really work if we each do our part. I know because it’s happened before.

A Fast for Relief: A Story and a Lesson

In ancient Israel, God’s people chose not to listen to the warnings of the prophets and were consequently taken captive into Babylon. They had turned their backs on God and lost their claim on His protection. After many years in exile, however, some softened their hearts and began to return to their homeland and their God despite difficulties and enemy attacks.  

Ezra, a scholar and teacher of the law in Babylon, desired to return to his homeland, “for Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statures and judgements” (Ezra 7:10). The king granted Ezra’s request and preparations began.

Before leaving, Ezra testified to the king, “The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him” (Ezra 8:22). In theory, his faith in God was strong.

But then reality set in. Trials mounted. The journey appeared hazardous. Enemies threatened to attack. And Ezra, ashamed to ask the king for assistance after proclaiming His trust in God, appealed to his Heavenly King for deliverance with a fast for relief.

Ezra said, “Then I proclaimed a fast … that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance…. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us” (Ezra 8:21, 23). After the fast, Ezra declared, “And the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way” (Ezra 8:31).

Notice two things about this account. First, they “afflicted” themselves before their God. In other words, they “humbled” themselves or “made a sacrifice” before God to ask for the protection they needed. Second, because they sought God in fasting, God interceded on their behalf and protected them on their journey.

Their profound act of faith, evidenced through sincere fasting for relief, brought them the protection they desired. 

Fasting is About Submitting to God

Let’s face it. We’re not very good at submitting. We like our independence. We don’t like being told what to do. So directives like “social distancing” and “stay home” run contrary to our nature. But changing our nature is actually a good thing.

In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin taught, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19).  

Fasting helps us “[put] off the natural man” and call on God for help. It is a sign to Heavenly Father that we are willing to submit to His will and ask for His protection. It tells Him that we’re willing to put our spiritual needs over our physical desires for a time. It also shows Him through our sacrifice, that we believe He is powerful enough to bring about change, that He is in control.

Fasting is About Seeking God’s Blessings

Just like Ezra, we can fast to seek God’s blessings and protection right now. When we fast and pray with real intent, God will hear our cries and answer our prayers. The prophet Isaiah promised that when we fast, “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 rearward” (Isaiah 58:8). Further, he said, “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9).

Who Can Fast?

The short answer is everyone can and should join in this worldwide fast.

  • People of faith. If you have a strong faith tradition, regardless of denomination, your fast matters. God honors those who honor Him. The scriptures teach, “It is by the prayers of the righteous that [families, communities, and nations] are spared” (Alma 10:23).  He will acknowledge your fast and bless you and the world accordingly.  
  • People who want to come back to faith. Maybe you have felt God’s influence in your life in the past, but now feel separated from His love and blessings. This is the perfect opportunity to shorten that gap. Join the fast. Not only will it help you feel His love for you, but it will combine your efforts with others around the world to find relief.
  • People who want to give faith a try. Maybe you don’t consider yourself religious or a person of faith. That’s okay. All it takes is a start. God honors all those who honor Him, even those new to faith. This is a great opportunity to try God at His word. Join the fast. It will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. It will give you peace.

How to Fast

The traditional way to fast is to go without food or drink for an extended time (up to you, but maybe two consecutive meals?). But that’s not the only way to fast. If medical or other considerations keep you from this traditional form of fasting, you can sacrifice something else to show your submission to God and seek His blessings. Maybe you could fast from specific foods that are “nice to haves” rather than “need to haves.” You could give up social media, news, or technology throughout the day and try prayer instead. You decide.

The thing you sacrifice is less important than the intent of your sacrifice. If you show God that you are willing to submit to Him through a fast, He will bless you accordingly.

A Call to Action

Fasting works. When we approach God in fasting and sincere prayer, He hears our cries and will deliver us from our enemies. It worked for Ezra. It has worked for countless others. And it will work for us. I firmly believe this is the answer to our current situation.

But it takes every single person. It takes combining our hearts and our allegiance to God. It takes hushing our fears (see Alma 23:28) and exercising faith in Him to deliver. It take yielding our natural appetites to our spiritual desires. It takes praying fervently for “relief from the physical, emotional, and economic effects of this global pandemic,” as President Nelson said. 

 Our God is a mighty God. All things are in His hands. As we turn to Him, He will bless and sanctify us and rescue us from the enemy we face. Will you join the fast?

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