Gospel Principles Manual
“Fasting”
Lesson 25 p. 145-148
Sister Crowther
How to Fast Properly
Since the time of Adam, God's people have fasted to help them draw near to Him and to worship Him. Jesus showed the importance of fasting by His own example. Through latter-day revelation we learn that the Lord still expects His people to fast and pray often.
Fasting means to go without food and drink. Occasional fasting is good for our bodies and helps our minds become more active.
The Savior taught us that purposeful fasting is more than just going without food and drink. We must also concentrate on spiritual matters.
We Should Pray When We Fast
Prayer is a necessary part of fasting. Throughout the scriptures, prayer and fasting are mentioned together. Our fasting should be accompanied by sincere prayer, and we should begin and end our fasting with prayer.
We Should Fast with a Purpose
Fasting can have many purposes. We can overcome weaknesses or problems by fasting and praying. Sometimes we may wish to fast and pray for help or guidance for others, such as a family member who is ill and needs a blessing. Through fasting we can come to know the truth of things just as did the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon. He said: "I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true, for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit."
Our Purpose in fasting should not be to impress others.
We should be cheerful when we fast and not advertise our fasting to others.
The Fast Day
One Sunday each Month Latter-day Saints observe a fast day. On this day we neither eat nor drink for two consecutive meals. If we were to eat our evening meal on Saturday, then we would not eat or drink until the evening meal on Sunday.
All members who are physically able should fast. We should encourage our children to fast after they have been baptized, but we should never force them.
On fast Sunday, members of the Church meet together and partake of the sacrament. They strengthen themselves and one another by bearing testimony in fast and testimony meeting.
Fast Offerings
When we fast each month, the Lord asks us to help those in need. One way we do this is by giving through the proper priesthood authority the money we would have spent on food for the two meals. We should give as generously as we are able. Through our fast offerings we become partners with the Lord in administering to the needs of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters.
We Are Blessed When We Fast
Fasting improves our lives and gives us added strength. It helps us live other principles of the gospel because it draws us nearer to the Lord.
Fasting Teaches Self-Control
Fasting helps us gain strength of character. When we fast properly, we will learn to control our appetites and passions. We are a little stronger by having proved to ourselves that we have self-control. If we teach our children to fast, they will develop the spiritual strength to overcome greater temptations later in their lives.
Fasting Gives Us Spiritual Power
When we fast wisely and prayerfully, we develop our faith. With that faith we will have greater spiritual power.
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