*Priesthood Session

Elder Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy emphasized the importance of proper fasting and prayer in the Priesthood Session Saturday evening, promising increased blessings to those who fast in the right spirit.

Elder Pratt started his talk by stating the comprehensive nature of the law of fasting.

“Fasting has always been a practice among God’s people,” he said. “In our day it is a commandment given by the Lord to all members of the Church.”

Elder Pratt then outlined three essential elements of fasting as the Lord has commanded.

First, church members should abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals, or 24 hours. Second, members are counseled to attend fast and testimony meeting. Finally, members are encouraged to contribute a generous fast offering, he said.

Though no church standard exists for fasting—besides the suggested fast of 24 hours—Elder Pratt expressed concern about the diligence with which priesthood holders may approach the commandment.

“I fear, brethren, that too many of us are either not fasting on fast day or we are doing so in a lackadaisical manner,” he said. “If we are guilty of taking our fast day for granted or simply fasting on Sunday morning instead of making it for two complete meals or 24 hours, we are depriving ourselves and our families of the choice spiritual experiences and blessings that can come from true fasting.”

Elder Pratt then suggested that fasting for a specific reason can make for a more meaningful experience.

“When we fast with purpose, we have something to focus our attention on besides our hunger,” he said.

Fasting can help people overcome personal flaws and sins, increase humility, reduce the tendency to criticize others, increase familial love and appreciation and strengthen marital bonds, Elder Pratt said.

But fasting alone is not enough.

“Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours,” he said. “But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power.”

Members are encouraged to begin and end their fasts with a prayer and to seek the Lord often in personal prayer throughout the fast, Elder Pratt said.

Though small children shouldn’t be expected to fast for 24 hours, they need to understand the principle of fasting so they will be eager to fast when of an appropriate age, he said.

Elder Pratt related that in his home, his children were encouraged to fast for one meal between the ages of 8 and 12. Once his children received the Aaronic Priesthood or entered the Young Women’s program, they could begin fasting for the recommended two meals.

In his concluding remarks, Elder Pratt expressed gratitude at the opportunity that church members have to ease the suffering of others with fast offerings.

“It is a truly wonderful thing that through our fast offerings today we can feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and clothe the naked,” he said.
Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Oct 2004