The Fast

For those of you that remember, my daughter Anna will be having eye muscle surgery (Strabismus Surgery) on Thursday of next week (September 26th, 2013). This is a very frightening thing for my family and I, however, we have faith that our savior Jesus Christ will be watching over her.

This is why I am asking my friends and family members to hold a 24-hour fast for Anna.

What exactly is a 24-hour fast, and what does that have to do with my daughter?

Fasting is mentioned in the bible as early as Exodus. It has always been a practice among God's people. Essentially, a fast is giving up food and drink voluntarily for a certain period of time. Fasting combined with prayer gives us (God's children) spiritual strength, brings us closer to God, and prepares us for other blessings.

Jesus Christ was on one occasion approached by his disciples and he taught them about fasting and prayer. The account can be found in Matthew 17:14-21. Basically, the Savior's disciples desired to cast out a devil from a child. They asked the Savior why they couldn't do it. Jesus replied "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

Jesus Himself fasted forty days and forty nights prior to being temped three times by Satan. Fasting can prepare us spiritually to battle the temptations that beset us.

Fasting is really quite simple. There are many ways to do it, and there really is no one "right way." However, I do have some recommendations if this is something you have never done before.

1. Begin your fast with a prayer and a purpose. Tell God why you are fasting and ask for his blessing. If you haven't prayed before visit this link. For the next 24-hours it's no food.
2. Pray frequently through your 24-hour fast. Speak with God for answers to your prayer, and express your love for Him.
3. Close your fast with a prayer. Again, pray for the blessing you are seeking to be answered. You can now eat!

If you break your fast before the 24-hour mark, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Just try to make it a conscious decision that you are breaking your fast and close your fast beforehand. Sometimes, I have a hard time with going without drink. Try a partial fast where you give up food only.

Here's some other things you can do to help make your fast a more spiritual experience:

• Read scripture
• Perform service (just don't overwork yourself-you're hungry)
• Donate the money that you would have used for food to your church or other service organization.
• Turn off the TV
• Spend time with your family
• SMILE!!!- A bad attitude can ruin the spirit of your actions.

I want to thank everyone that will be doing this fast with us. Sarah and I will be beginning our fast on Saturday, September 21st and will be ending it with a big meal on Sunday dinner.

Thank you for your prayers and for the Fast!