Let Us Fast and Pray

I remember a few crises in my life when, as a family, ward, community or church, we united in fasting and prayer, but I’ve experienced nothing like the current pandemic and its devastating consequences. We need miracles right now, and, fortunately, we believe in them and in the power fasting has to activate God’s blessings. I am certain you have experienced miracles both large and small that have come as a result of fasting and prayer. Our prophet, President Nelson, has called for a worldwide fast this coming Sunday and I know our united faith and prayers can call upon the powers of heaven for the miracles needed now. When this challenging moment in time passes, I hope we can look back and realize the importance fasting can have in our lives. I invite you to prepare yourselves and children by making this fast more than just missing a couple meals. Here are a few suggestions and reminders that can help us to do that.

• Review Isaiah 58:6-11 and discuss its meaning in your families.

• Begin your fast with a prayer.

• Fast for two meals or about 24 hours.

• Pay a generous offering.

• Count your blessings, “remember,” and thank God for all He has done for you.

• Share your testimony with family and friends.

• End your fast with prayer. (You might consider letting each member of your family offer the feelings of their heart.)

Brothers and Sisters, I know that God is over all and he will hear and answer our prayers as we act in faith and make our fast meaningful. An important activating element is the faith necessary to donate what we can for the relief of others. Isaiah emphasized the importance of feeding the hungry, satisfying the afflicted soul, and covering the naked in making our fast powerful to call down the miracles we need to both bear our burdens and heal the earth (see Isaiah 58:6-11). I know that our bishops are very worried about the economic fallout, and there will be many needs locally and abroad. Our offerings and donations will be an important part of the miracles for which we are asking. Please remember that members of Aaronic Priesthood quorums will not be visiting your home, so counsel together as a family regarding what you can afford to sacrifice and use the online donation system to contribute generously. I thank God for a prophet to guide us in these latter days, and I am thankful for his wise invitation to participate in this special worldwide day of fasting and prayer. I know that preparing for and earnestly participating in this fast can be a great pillar of testimony for ourselves and our families.

Love,
President Nelson