"Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!"....
"So, during times of deep distress, as when illness reaches pandemic proportions, the most natural thing for us to do is to call upon our Heavenly Father and His Son—the Master Healer—to show forth Their marvelous power to bless the people of the earth."
"So tonight, my dear brothers and sisters, in the spirit of the sons of Mosiah, who gave themselves to much fasting and prayer,
and as part of our April 2020 general conference, I am calling for
another worldwide fast. For all whose health may permit, let us fast,
pray, and unite our faith once again. Let us prayerfully plead for
relief from this global pandemic.
I invite all,
including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday,
April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers
protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.
How
do we fast? Two meals or a period of 24 hours is customary.
.
But you
decide what would constitute a sacrifice for you, as you remember the
supreme sacrifice the Savior made for you.
.
Let us unite in pleading for
healing throughout the world.
Good Friday would be the perfect day to have our Heavenly Father and His Son hear us!"
As I watched our prophet extend this invitation, the spirit I felt was tangible. I felt as if my chest was about to burst. I was excited to prepare and to pray and fast on April 10th.
On the 6th of April, three missionaries created a facebook page entitled worldwide fast April 10th and invited everyone to participate....and what happened next was so faith promoting. By today it has almost 500,000 people on the page, from all different faiths, that were pledging to fast together. It just makes my heart so happy to see so many people willing to come together and unite in a worthy cause. Here is a link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/534352464165662/?fref=nf
As I contemplated my fast and what kind of fast I wanted it to be, my thoughts went in a different way than "my normal" fast. For me to fast for 24 hours is something I look forward to and as long as I have a purpose, it is enjoyable and not a huge sacrifice for me, it is a privilege. As I pondered, I thought that I may do a 48 hour fast. When President Nelson said; "But you
decide what would constitute a sacrifice for you, as you remember the
supreme sacrifice the Savior made for you."
I cannot ever repay what He has done for me, but I could give more than I ever had. And so Wednesday evening I knelt down after dinner and began my fast. I felt that same tangible spirit that made my chest want to burst, and I felt my Heavenly Father pleased because of what I wanted to do. I have attempted before to do a 48 hour fast and it has been way to difficult for me, and I have not succeeded.
This time was different.
I think the first 10-12 hours of a fast are the most difficult. Because for me the body is in control, instead of my spirit. But as I was preparing dinner for my family on Friday, I felt so peaceful and no battle at all. In fact, my stomach did not growl in hunger the entire 48 hours. AS I turned my thoughts to my Father in Heaven and as my family began their fast, I felt a strength beyond my own. I felt the strength of my spirit. It is a beautiful feeling. I did not feel hunger and very little thirst. I didn't want it to end. I felt the strength of millions fasting united in a beautiful cause. And to be able to do it on Good Friday was an added blessing.
A friend shared this with me today:
.
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"This week presents one of the most ironic/symbolic situations I have ever seen.
Sunday is Easter. Thursday is Passover.
During the Savior's last week, he celebrated the Passover on Thursday, just before his crucifixion and resurrection.
The Israelites celebrated the Passover to invite God to deliver them from death.
And here we are...
Our prophet, President Nelson, invited the entire world to fast on Good Friday for an end to this pandemic.
What he didn't mention out loud, is that this means our last meal would be the Passover meal on Thursday night.
Our last supper before we petition the Savior of the World for healing, corresponds to the anniversay of HIS Last Supper.
And that Passover meal is THE symbol of divine rescue from disease and death.
Coincidence? I don't think so. It is amazing.
The God we are praying up to foe deliverance at this very moment, is the one who gave us the Passover to remind us of His power to deliver."
.
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Isn't that powerful and beautiful. I learned also that every Good Friday, the Catholic religion also fasts. And the Pope and other religious leaders also asked for a worldwide fast.
I am grateful to be alive at a time to witness miracles that happen daily. I am grateful to be strengthened as others share their experiences and testimonies of the strength of prayer and fasting. I am grateful for a member of our bishopric that has been in the hospital, that took a turn for the better, when all hope seemed gone. I am grateful to experience this "pandemic" and all that it continues to teach me.
And this I know, I am a better person because of this experience.
I trust my Heavenly Father and my Savior and know that this fast will bring results consistent with their will. They see the bigger picture and am I grateful to be along for the ride.
