Drawing God's Attention: The Sacred Art of Fasting

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to learn about the covenants and the sacred work of the Restoration, there are times when the Lord asks us to set aside the mundane—the constant hum of worldly distraction—to focus solely on Him. Sometimes, the greatest lesson isn't found in what we *add* to our lives, but what we are willing to temporarily *abstain* from. That sacred discipline is fasting.

When we first hear about it, the thought of voluntarily going without food can feel counter-cultural, even frightening. We are conditioned to think that sustenance equals strength, that three square meals a day is the foundation of a good day. But the gospel invites us to a deeper source of power—the Spirit—which often requires us to quiet the physical engine just enough to hear the whisper of the Father.

The Secret Power of Secrecy

The Savior Himself gave us profound counsel on this. When He spoke to His disciples about fasting, He wasn't just giving dietary advice; He was teaching us about the *audience* for our devotion. He warned us not to fast like the hypocrites, whose goal was public acclaim. Their reward was visible, and therefore, limited.

Instead, He taught us to keep our covenants private. Think of it like this: when you fast, you are engaging in a sacred, one-on-one conversation with Heavenly Father. You are drawing His attention away from the noise of the world and into the quiet sanctuary of your heart. It’s a commitment that says, 'Father, right now, you are my only focus.' This is the essence of being an internet missionary—a constant, private commitment to the gospel, regardless of where you are or what the world is doing.

Understanding the Discipline

Fasting, at its heart, is a voluntary, temporary abstinence from bodily cravings—usually food—for a spiritual purpose. It’s a tool, a spiritual discipline, that helps us identify with the solemnity of covenants, much like the ancient observance of Yom Kippur, where the entire nation fasted to focus on the Atonement.

If you’ve never done it, the concerns are natural: Will it hurt? How will my friends react? These are the worldly metrics we use to measure endurance. But the gospel redirects our focus. We don't fast to impress our friends; we fast to draw closer to our Father.

“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

This principle—the private commitment between you and God—is vital for every disciple. Whether you are in the MTC preparing for your mission, serving in the field, or simply at home, remember that your deepest covenants are made in secret with the Lord. Don't let the desire for external validation distract you from the profound, internal work of the Spirit.

A Word of Encouragement

If the thought of this discipline feels daunting, remember that the Lord works through small steps. Perhaps today, your spiritual fast is simply from excessive social media scrolling, or from complaining about the challenges of the work. Identify one area where you can voluntarily draw back your attention to focus on the Savior.

For those who are ready to deepen this study, I highly recommend looking into the principles of covenant keeping found in the Iron Rod. It helps frame these spiritual disciplines within the larger context of our journey to become more like Christ.

If you’re looking for community to discuss these sacred practices, join us for our next virtual gathering! We'll be diving deeper into covenant keeping. Keep your hearts open, keep your covenants close, and remember that every member can be an internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time.