Continue in Fasting
In the Book of Mormon, we see this principle
taught that we must continue consistently in fasting and praying. For example, in the days of Alma “the
children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft,
and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of
those who knew not God” (Alma 6:6). They
did not just do this once, but rather got together “oft” to fast and pray in behalf
of others. The sons of Mosiah, as they
started their mission, were described in these words: “They had given
themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of
prophecy, and the spirit of revelation…. They fasted much and prayed much that the Lord
would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with
them,” (Alma 17:3,9). They had power and
the Spirit of the Lord with them not because of one single time they petitioned
the Lord but rather because they had “fasted much and prayed much.” Others in the Book of Mormon are described in
the same language. After the Nephites successfully
defended themselves when the Lamanites came against them, “They did fast much
and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy” (Alma 45:1). The faithful in the time of Helaman, son of
Helaman, were described in these words: “Nevertheless they did fast and pray
oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer
in the faith of Christ” (Helaman 3:35).
They grew in their faith in Christ as they fasted and prayed oft. Amaleki gave us this invitation about
fasting: “I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of
Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea,
come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue
in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will
be saved” (Omni 1:26). As we come unto
Christ and offer our souls to Him, we must continue in fasting and praying,
enduring to the end of our lives. In
short, after this fast we will pray again and we will fast again, seeking the
Lord’s help continually in our lives.
This is not to say, though, that this
single fast cannot have a significant impact to improve conditions around the
world—we hope and pray that this will be the case. We have an account in the scriptures of a
group fast that indeed was fulfilled for a specific need at a specific time. When the king decreed that all the Jews should
be killed, “And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his
decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping,
and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.” As the Jews sought for help, Esther decided
she would risk her life to go in to the king and seek to have this
overturned. She bade Mordecai, “Go,
gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me,
and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will
fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the
law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:3,16). They fasted three days and nights and indeed
their pleadings were answered and the people saved through Esther’s faith and
the Lord’s intervention. He saw their
fasting and blessed them for it, and we pray that He will see the fasting of so
many today and bring relief around the world.
But whether that comes quickly or not, we will continue to seek the Lord
and His help, and we know that in His wisdom He will hear and answer our
fervent prayers and petitions.
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