Fasting

Once a month I fast from food and liquids of all kinds for twenty-four hours.  The intent of the fast is nominally to save the money I would have spent on food and donate it to a special fund that is used to meet the needs of the poor among us.  I always have a focus for my fast, someone or something for which I focus my prayer.  All active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who are physically able, fast at least once a month for two meals or twenty-four hour, usually on the first weekend of the month.  The first Sunday of the month is called 'Fast Sunday and the general church meeting that day is called Fast and Testimony Meeting.  It differs from other Sunday meetings because instead of having assigned speakers members of the congregation bear their testimonies as the Spirit moves them.  I enjoy these meetings more than other meetings for several reasons. First, the speakers give brief witnesses.  They testify of truth.  Lengthy speeches and long stories are discouraged.  People of all kinds from children to elderly, the ' strangers in our midst, and male and female speak.  Sometimes they tell brief stories about miracles and blessings they have recently experienced.  Sometimes they sing.  Notes are rarely if ever used.  Facades are discarded.  Hearts are bared.  If all I did was abstain from food without praying or participating, if only as a listener in the testimony meeting the fast would have a beneficial effect on my body but I am grateful that the time I spend taming my hunger and thirst is part of something greater.