Fasting is a skill. But before I elaborate on that point, I would like to talk about video games for a minute.
Last week, in a fit of nostalgia, I dug out our old Super Nintendo system and hooked it up to the TV in our bedroom. I can feel you judging me – stop right now.
Sure, we have all the latest systems, but the NES is the one that my EC and I used to play (somewhat obsessively) before the kids were around to hog the games. (Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Clay Fighters, and Top Gear 2) We were happy in our 2D world.
We plugged it in an fired it up. Of course the kids were suddenly interested, and were amazed at how quickly Mom’s skills returned. And how loud she is when playing. I, on the other hand, had a tougher time. Especially with Top Gear 2. I used to be able own that game, but now, I can barely get through a level after repeated attempts.
What used to be so easy had become difficult.
Why? Because it had been a long time, and I don’t put as much (any) focus and energy into it anymore.
Today is Fast Sunday, and I felt like I needed to talk about fasting. As I was thinking about how to approach it, it became very clear to me that I am just not as good at it as I used to be. How does that happen?
Fasting is a skill. Like any other skills, the more we do it, and the more effort and focus we put into it, the better we will become at it. But, like any other skill, it can get rusty if we don’t work on it. I know that some have never developed this skill, but it is usually from lack of understanding of the importance of the fast.
There were two times in my life where I felt that I had become very skilled at fasting – the first was on my mission. For two years, we faithfully fasted a full 24-hour fast. And it was easy.
The second period was when I was serving as a bishop. Meetings would start early, and I would be at the church all day. After about a year, it dawned on me that I was pretty much fasting ever Sunday already. Why not make it official? So I just made fasting part of my normal Sunday routine. It was actually easier for to fast once-a-week than once-a-month.
It was easier during those periods of time because I was more focused on, and surrounded by things to fast for. We were looking for investigators, fasting for their progress, or I had concerns about people in my ward, or was seeking inspiration. Lots of motivation.
Lately, my fasting has not been as sharp as it once was. I find myself forgetting occasionally, or complaining about being hungry, or even being more willing to justify skipping – “I’ll just do it next week…”
Then comes a Fast Sunday when I am fasting for a specific purpose. Am I ready to take that on? Or are we a little to out of shape? That is what I am experiencing today. I am fasting for a specific, important reason, and it is requiring me to flex those fasting muscles again, in a way that I haven’t in some time. I feel it parallels prayer – are we that friend that only calls when he needs something?
How am I trying to remedy this?
First, last night, texted my kids and asked them to join me, they all quickly signed on.
Then, I opened my fast with prayer, and explained to God the purpose of my fast, and did some requisite repenting.
This morning, I spent some time reading this wonderful talk by Bishop Dean Davies from last General Conference. I also dug into Isaiah and read the promises there. (Quoted below)
Next, I sat down and started typing this.
After I am done here, I will attend church and partake of the sacrament. After which, I will come home and do whatever I can to retain the spirit, and not be distracted by the world.
I will pay a fast offering that is far more than the price of the two meals we have missed.
Then I will close my fast with a private prayer.
I know from past experience that addressing the fast in this way, I am better able to focus on the purpose, more likely to not cave in, and more likely to feel the Spirit guiding the process.
Yes, I am out of practice. Thankfully, it is a skill that can be regained. I’ve given up on Top Gear 2, but regaining this skill is worth the effort.
Have a lovely Fast Sunday.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”4
Isaiah then went on to list the wonderful blessings promised by the Lord to those who obey the law of the fast. He says:
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought.” (Isaiah 58:6-11)
It is surely true that not everyone can fast for health or pregnancy related reasons. I also know that a lot of people look for reasons not to fast because of will-power, or conviction reasons.
A good approach to this, and life, is to search for ways in which we can comply with commandments, rather than search for ways to justify being an exception. (Yes, I stole that from Boyd K. Packer)
Thank you for this post. I don’t enjoying going without food but I enjoy the experience of fasting. We have three children. Out of the almost ten years we’ve been married I haven’t been able to fast for six of them because I was either pregnant or nursing. It’s not easy for my husband to fast and I feel very guilty when we have something important to fast for during the times I can’t fast. It’s hard for me to remind him about the fast and cheer him on during the day or suggesting a fast when something comes up.
I have a friend fasted for the purpose of learning to like fasting. She said it really helped her. I want to try that when I’m done nursing in a couple months.
Agree- there are other ways to fast if your physical condition or medications you’re on do not allow the traditional way. When I am nursing, I fast food (starting about 2 months post-partum, and this is not for everyone, but I know my body can handle it and still produce quality milk), but not water because I get too dehydrated. Another sister I know abstains from desserts when she can’t do a full fast.
Encouragement for “es” and agreeing with Michelle above–If you are diabetic, you can’t fast. If you have medications you can’t skip–that’s my situation–you may not be able to fully fast. What I have done is found what I need to have to stay well, and pare it down to that. I forgo things I might like best for breakfast, and stay simple, setting aside anything beyond what I know as necessity. For me, that means I have one piece of toast and half a glass of milk with my medication; for someone else it might be something different. I am usually then able to fast for the rest of the day. I am grateful that what I can offer as a ‘partial fast’ is answered by my Father in Heaven, because the most important part of fasting is to enter into the spirit of the fast and lay aside my ordinary concerns and focus on prayer, service, and seeking. It is the process of consecration, not the calorie or time count, that makes the spiritual difference.
I want to be a good faster but I get terrible migraines every Fast Sunday. I try to keep a good attitude and focus on WHY I am fasting, but I dread Fast Sunday knowing that I will be down for the count all Sunday afternoon and evening.
Migraines run in my family as well. Fasting would cause my mom, and now my husband, debilitating, 3-4 day migraines (even with preventative medication and pain medications). Doctors have told them both to not fast. Surely, this is not what the Lord intended with fasting! I’ve heard my mom talk about how she limits her meals to very small ones, or fasts sugar for a week, or “fasts” facebook or computer browsing. While I was pregnant or nursing, simply fasting 3 hours during church was difficult for me–I know that sounds crazy, but that was my goal. Another thing that helps me is to time the fast to start after lunch on Saturday instead of after dinner, and end after lunch on Sunday. Somehow it’s much easier for me.
Anyway, I think if fasting causes such terrible consequences, it’s ok to counsel with the Lord and choose something else (something similarly difficult to fasting food and water) to fast. Also, prayer and focus help make the day feel dedicated to fasting.
I have a question, because I like the idea of fasting weekly. I feel like I need more fasting practice and I have good purposes for which to fast weekly. I was just wondering when you were bishop and fasted every week, did you make a weekly fast offering as part of that, or did you just stick to the monthly offering? And if the monthly, did you increase it to include/exceed those meals you skipped each Sunday?
Great question! I paid monthly fast offerings. But… I had long before adopted the habit of paying much, much more than the price of the missed meals as my fast offerings, so was still covered. #blessingshoarder
A good reminder! This past Sunday was my first fast in almost 2 years (baby was just weaned). It was hard and I didn’t make it the full time! I definitely need to practice to get into the mode again.
You might also note that the times when fasting was easiest for you were also the times when your day was focused mostly on service.
Good observation!
Part of me can say “I fast 2-3 times a week already”… but truthfully that is just going without food because I am too busy to eat. Looking at my stomach you wouldn’t think it though. It took me a while, but eventually I came to the conclusion that even on Fast Sunday you are not really fasting unless you have a purpose.
Exactly. I’ve heard it said, “Fasting without purpose and prayer is just going hungry.”
You forgot the part of your day when your contributed your beautiful bass voice to your ward choir practice!
You are just kissing up now.
Whatever it takes! (It just happens to be the truth too.)
Thank you so much. Many of the lessons here are truly blessings to me.
Fasting is so hard for me! I didn’t grow up doing it, and really didn’t understand it much until I got married. And sad to say, I was always grateful for pregnancies and nursing that provided me with an excuse not to fast. I have tried to do better with it, and so your message is a good one for me, food for thought, so to speak. I will try harder to exercise my fasting muscles and rejoice when I make progress. Thank you!
A beautiful message . . .
I have two 12-year old daughters. They are doing an activity for the YW’s Personal Progress that involves fasting. Today is their first fast and they are struggling. This was perfectly timed for me to be able to read it to them and motivate them. THANK YOU!
Thanks! I needed this post. Our Fast Sunday was last week, as we had stake conference today and got a new stake presidency. I really need to sharpen my fasting skills again. And thanks, poquimoqui, for your post. I enjoyed the analogy, too.
Very timely for me today. A very sincere thank you!
Thanks for the simple reminder and promised blessings of the fast. And poquimoqul appreciate the analogy. It is awesome to have this forum
Thank you.
When I was in the military we practiced constantly for battle. We would do simulated battles on a regular basis. I’ve come to liken Fast Sunday to such training. If we are able to keep in check a very basic desire of the body (ie. food and water), then we will have the necessary skills to keep some of the other desires in check also (anger, lust, addictions, etc). So on this day, I put on my battle gear and focus on overcoming the natural desires of men and letting the Spirit by my guide. Good day to you too!
Thank you, I needed this. I was reminded of a really tough time in my life (divorce) when I needed the spirit’s guidance more than ever before or since. I fasted every M-Th-Su. And it was a piece of cake! I found myself making better food choices on the four days I ate, as well. My head and heart became more and more clear as to the actions I needed to take. The sorrow became easier to bear and my choices were the correct ones. Rusty now? You have NO idea. I’m 70 now and health issues make it harder to fast. I’m drinking water as I type because dehydration is one of my body’s “enemies”. But I know the Lord knows me AND my body and abstaining from food and praying for understanding of and help with the “biggie” problem of THIS month are gifts He is still willing to grant this mortal shell, mind, and heart. Love you, MMM.
The talk from Bishop Davies was our FHE lesson this past week. Love the verses from Isaiah, both the obligations and the blessings related to fasting. Appreciate this post.
The talk by Bishop Davies was our FHE lesson this past week. Love the verses from Isaiah both about our obligations and the blessings related to fasting.