Fasting

We can fast for the following reasons 

1. To Honor God - Mt 6:16-18, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2, Mt 5:6
2. To Humble Yourself - 2 Chron 7:14-15
3.
To Discerning Healing - I Cor 11:30, James 5:13-18, Isaiah 59:1-2
4.
To Deliverance from Bondage - Mt 17:21, Is 58:6-9 
5.
To Revelation - God’s vision and will - Dan 9:3, 20-21, Dan 10:2-10, 12-13
6.
To Revival -- Acts 1:4, 14 / 2:16-21, Joel 2:12-18
7.
To Repentance - failures - Psalm 51: Jer. 29:11-14, James 4:8-10


We can Fast When

1. Sorely tempted (Mat. 4:2).
2. Wisdom is earnestly desired (Dan. 9:3).

3. Help and protection are needed (Ezra 8:21-23; 2 Chron. 20:3; Jer. 36:9).

4.Victory is desired over strong demonic powers (Mat. 17:21; Mk. 9:29).
5. Victory is desired in seemingly impossible situations (Est. 4:10-17; 9:31; Neh. 1:4).

6. Fast when something is earnestly desired from God and the answer has not come through prayer alone (1 Sam. 1:6-7).

7. Fast when in mourning for loved ones or the defeat of God ' s people (2 Sam. 1:12).

8. Fast when new ministries are launched and when men go forth to proclaim God ' s Word and battle spiritual enemies (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23)
.
9. Fast when involved in spiritual ministry (2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27)

10. Fast during times of special repentance, confession, and revival (Joel 1:14; 2:12; 2:15; Neh. 9:1-2).



The importance of fasting is seen in the Old and New Testaments.


Judges 20:26--Israel fasted for victory in war.

1 Sam. 1:6-7--Hannah fasted for a son
1 Sam. 7:6--Israel fasted in repentance

1 Sam. 31:13--Men of Jabeshgilead fasted in mourning for Saul
2 Sam. 1:12--David and his men fasted in mourning for Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen of Israel

2 Sam. 12--David fasted for mercy upon his child
1 Kings 21:27--Ahab fasted for mercy
2 Chron. 20:3--Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection

Ezra 8:21-23--Ezra and the people fasted for help and protection
Nehemiah 1:4--Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help upon Jerusalem
Nehemiah 9:1,2--Israel fasting in mourning and repentance

Esther 4:16--Esther and friends fasted for victory
Esther 9:3--Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the victory
Psalm 35:13,14--Fasting in prayer and mourning

Psalm 69: 10,11--Fasting in prayer and mourning

Isaiah 58:6-8--The fast which pleases God

Jeremiah 36:9--Israel fasted for mercy

Joel 1:14; 2:12,15--God commanded fasting and repentance
Jonah 3:5--The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy
Daniel 9:3--Daniel fasted for wisdom

Matthew 4:2--Jesus fasted when tempted in the wilderness
Matthew 6:17-18--Jesus promised that the Father would bless fasting
Matthew 9:14-15--Jesus said his disciples would fast

Matthew 17:21--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic strongholds

Mark 9:29--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic powers

Luke 2:37--Fasting was part of Anna ' s service to God

Acts 13:2--Fasting was part of the ministry of the workers at Antioch

Acts 13:3--Ordination was accompanied by fasting
Acts 14:23--Ordination was accompanied by fasting

1 Cor. 7:5--Fasting and prayer is the only proper reason for abstinence from the marital relationship
2 Cor. 6:5--Fasting was one way Paul approved himself as a minister of Jesus Christ
2 Cor. 11:27--Paul fasted often.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Questions and Answers
 Liahona, May 1995, 26–29
Answers are intended for help and perspective, not as pronouncements of Church policy.
I have tried fasting, and it doesn’t do anything for me except make me feel hungry. How can I make my fast more meaningful?
Our Answer:
Instruction on fasting is given repeatedly in the scriptures—in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, and in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is most often associated with prayer.
In the Church, we have a formal fast once a month in conjunction with a fast and testimony meeting. This fast usually lasts for 24 hours, and we donate the money we would have spent on two meals as fast offerings to help the needy. Those who can contribute more are encouraged to do so. The Lord has commanded all members to fast (see D&C 88:76). President Joseph F. Smith pointed out that fasting “is a duty from which [we] cannot escape; but let it be remembered that the observance of the fast day by abstaining twenty-four hours from food and drink is not an absolute rule, … but it is left with the people as a matter of conscience, to exercise wisdom and discretion.” Those with health problems that preclude fasting, mothers with nursing babies, and young children who do not understand the purposes for fasting should not feel compelled to fast (see Gospel Doctrine, 5th edition, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1939, page 244).
~~~~~~
Fasting may simply be going without food or drink unless we fast with a purpose. This purpose (or purposes) may be personal and directed toward overcoming some individual problem or finding an answer to a difficult question or issue in our lives. In addition, we should fast on behalf of others, such as for those who are ill or to strengthen missionary efforts. Fasting is itself a form of worship (see Luke 2:37), and it is proper to fast to gain a testimony, as a form of righteous sorrow, and as a means of sanctifying one’s soul. It is not necessary to wait until the monthly fast day to fast for these and other good reasons. However, we are counseled not to fast for long periods of time and too often.
Fasting and prayer go together. Doctrine and Covenants 59:14 [D&C 59:14] declares, “This is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.” Fasting, along with prayer, helps make us more receptive to the influence of the Lord. It teaches us to shut out the things of the world and focuses our attention on the things of the Spirit. And the closer we feel to the Lord, the greater our joy.
During your next fast, try these steps:
• Pray before beginning your fast.
• Fast with a purpose, and think often about the purpose of your fast.
• Remain cheerful and patient.
• Offer a prayer of gratitude at the end of your fast.

~~~~~~
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote that “fasting, with prayer as its companion, is designed to increase spirituality; to foster a spirit of devotion and love of God; to increase faith in the hearts of men, thus assuring divine favor; to encourage humility and contrition of soul; to aid in the acquirement of righteousness; to teach man his nothingness and dependence upon God; and to hasten those who properly comply with the law of fasting along the path to salvation” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd edition, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, page 276).
Here are some sample comments from readers who have experienced the blessings of fasting.


The LDS Daily WOOL� Archive - Fasting

(2/7/97)
Fasting and prayer is a positive experience. It is a form of worship especially commended by the Lord. As we fast with prayer, we demonstrate our deep purpose, commit that we will do all in our power, and consign the outcome to the Lord. Commitment to act is the key to exercising any gospel principle. We must actually do what the principles require. Doing, in conjunction with fasting and prayer, is in itself a prayer of faith. The principle of doing is one of the great messages of the scriptures. Alma did preach with power after fasting and prayer. The Savior, being strengthened by fasting, did reject Satan's every proposition and did rebuke him. When we fast, we must work in appropriate ways to do everything we can to accomplish the purpose of our fast. The fast is most effective when we have done all that is within our power. Often this commitment involves the willingness to change, to put aside feelings and attitudes standing in our path, to forgive, to be strong, to make sacrifices, to exert energy toward our righteous goal. — Bishop Victor L. Brown, General Conference, October 1977


(2/8/97)
It is evident that the acceptable fast is that which carries with it the true spirit of love for God and man; and that the aim in fasting is to secure perfect purity of heart and simplicity of intention—a fasting unto God in the fullest and deepest sense—for such a fast would be a cure for every practical and intellectual error; vanity would disappear, love for our fellows would take its place, and we would gladly assist the poor and the needy. — President Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of Latter-day Prophets, p. 199


(2/9/97)
Let me promise you here today that if the Latter-day Saints will honestly and conscientiously from this day forth, as a people, keep the monthly fast and pay into the hands of their bishops the actual amount that they would have spent for food for the two meals from which they have refrained; and if in addition to that they will pay their honest tithing, it will solve all of the problems in connection with taking care of the Latter-day Saints. We would have all the money necessary to take care of all the idle and all the poor. Every living soul among the Latter-day Saints that fasts two meals once a month will be benefited spiritually and be built up in the faith of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ--benefited spiritually in a wonderful way--and sufficient means will be in the hands of the bishops to take care of all the poor. — President Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, p. 123


(2/10/97)
It seems to me it is a source of strength, a source of power, a source of blessing that perhaps as a people we are not using enough; that it does have tremendous spiritual value to those who observe the law, and who apply it faithfully…. The Saints by fasting and praying can sanctify the soul and elevate the spirit to Christlike perfection, and thus the body would be brought into subjection to the spirit, promote communion with the Holy Ghost, and insure spiritual strength and power to the individual. By observing fasting and prayer in its true spirit, the Latter-day Saints cannot be overpowered by Satan tempting them to evil. — Elder Delbert L. Stapley, General Conference, October 1951


(2/11/97)
The regularly constituted fast consists of abstinence from food once each month, from the evening meal of Saturday to the evening meal on the following Sunday; that is, it means missing two meals on the first Sunday of each month. The value of those two meals given as a voluntary donation for the relief of those who are hungry or otherwise in distress constitutes the fast offering. Think what the sincere observance of this rule would mean spiritually if every man, woman, and child were to observe the fast and contribute the resultant offering, with the sincere desire of blessing the less fortunate brother or sister or sorrowing child! The great Tolstoy, sensing the need of this bond of sympathetic brotherhood in Christ, once wrote that he had no right to eat his crust of bread if his brother had none. Can you not see associated with this simple act the divine principle of service as expressed in the Master's words: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"? (Matt. 25:40.) — President David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 210


(2/12/97)
Our difficulty is that we have not all used the Lord's plan as we should. What ought that contribution, our fast offerings, be, to be the equivalent of two meals? I would like to suggest that there isn't anything that this present generation needs so much as the power of self-control; appetite is stronger than will. Men's passions dominate their lives. If there is one thing that we need to recover, it is the power of self-control over the physical body; to deny it good food . . . for two meals, [is to obtain] a mastery over self; and the greatest battle any of us shall ever fight is with self. — Elder Melvin J. Ballard, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard, p. 157


(2/13/97)
Fast with purpose. We must ever remind ourselves and all members of the Church to keep the law of the fast. We often have our individual reasons for fasting. But I hope members won't hesitate to fast to help us lengthen our stride in our missionary effort, to open the way for the gospel to go to the nations where it is not now permitted. It's good for us to fast as well as to pray over specific things and over specific objectives. — President Spencer W. Kimball, General Conference, April 1976


(2/14/97)
The Lord has instituted the fast on a reasonable and intelligent basis, and none of his works are vain or unwise. His law is perfect in this as in other things. Hence, those who can are required to comply thereto; it is a duty from which they cannot escape; but let it be remembered that the observance of the fast day by abstaining twenty-four hours from food and drink is not an absolute rule, it is no iron-clad law to us, but it is left with the people as a matter of conscience, to exercise wisdom and discretion. Many are subject to weakness, others are delicate in health, and others have nursing babies; of such it should not be required to fast. Neither should parents compel their little children to fast. I have known children to cry for something to eat on fast day. In such cases, going without food will do them no good. Instead, they dread the day to come, and in place of hailing it, dislike it; while the compulsion engenders a spirit of rebellion in them, rather than a love for the Lord and their fellows. Better teach them the principle, and let them observe it when they are old enough to choose intelligently, than to so compel them. — President Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 243


(7/19/01)
"The personal benefits derived from fasting are substantial. The scriptures tell us that a certain kind of devil goes not out except by fasting and prayer. (See Matt. 17:21.) The supremacy of the spirit over the appetites of the body is affirmed by the mental discipline of fasting. This strength fortifies us in our combat with other temptations prompted by physical appetites that, if uncontrolled, would be destructive to our welfare. While some have physical conditions that preclude fasting, most people are not excluded on this basis. To me, a successfully completed period of fasting from food and drink on fast day brings a degree of self-confidence. Fasting is real evidence to oneself and to his maker of gratitude for the gift of health and strength which permits one to be able to fast. Surely this is a great privilege and blessing."


Russell M. Nelson 
"I Have a Question," 
"Ensign," Apr. 1976, p. 33
(7/20/01)
"Periodic fasting can help clear up the mind and strengthen the body and the spirit. The usual fast, the one we are asked to participate in for fast Sunday, is for 24 hours without food or drink. Some people, feeling the need, have gone on longer fasts of abstaining from food but have taken the needed liquids. Wisdom should be used, and the fast should be broken with light eating. To make a fast most fruitful, it should be coupled with prayer and meditation; physical work should be held to a minimum, and it's a blessing if one can ponder on the scriptures and the reason for the fast."


Ezra Taft Benson 
"Do Not Despair," 
"Ensign," Nov. 1974, p. 66-67
(7/21/01)
"When your stomach begins to growl halfway through fast and testimony meeting, you probably do not think of fasting as rejoicing, yet this is the way fasting has been scripturally defined: 'Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.' (D&C 59:14.)

Rejoicing means to express joy, and joy is the reason for man's existence. (2 Ne. 2:25.) Fasting, then, is an activity that brings us back to the state of being for which we were created."
Robert J. Matthews 
"What the Scriptures Say About: Fasting," 
"New Era," Sept. 1972, p. 32


(7/22/01)
"Commitment to act is the key to exercising any gospel principle. We must actually do what the principles require. Doing, in conjunction with fasting and prayer, is in itself a prayer of faith. The principle of doing is one of the great messages of the scriptures. Alma did preach with power after [page 84] fasting and prayer. The Savior, being strengthened by fasting, did reject Satan�s every proposition and did rebuke him."
 Victor L. Brown 
"A Vision of the Law of the Fast," 
"Ensign," Nov. 1977, p. 83-84


(7/23/01)
"Sometimes it�s easier to try to work on our relationship with God through fasting, prayer, and scripture study than to love and serve his other children or to repair broken human relations. Just as we can sometimes avoid confronting our real spiritual need to change and repent by intellectualizing about gospel principles, so also can we escape dealing with pulsating spiritual needs and service hungers by theatrical and/or excessive fasting. Unless otherwise directed by the Spirit to fast more frequently, we can gain the blessings of fasting by following the Church practice of fasting for two consecutive meals once a month on the designated fast Sunday."
Stephen R. Covey 
"Q&;A: Questions and Answers," 
"New Era," Sept. 1974, p. 15


 
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