Group Fast for Jeff Fuller and Family
Please join us in a special group fast for Jeff Fuller and his family this Sunday (01/08/2012). This Sunday, we will be fasting and praying for Jeff’s health and wellbeing. Specifically, we will be praying that Jeff will be healed and that his family will receive the support that they need during this difficult time.
Jeff & Angela
How to Fast
Jesus explained that fasting should be done without fanfare; and not “of a sad countenance” so as to “appear unto men to fast … But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast. …” (Matt. 6:16–18; see also 3 Ne. 13:16–18.)
Paul suggested that fasting should include abstinence from other physical pleasures in addition to food and drink. (1 Cor. 7:5.)
The length of the fast is not prescribed by scripture. Moses is said to have fasted “forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” (Ex. 34:28.) Jesus also “fasted forty days and forty nights [and] was afterward an hungred.” (Matt. 4:2.) In most other instances where a specified time is given, it is limited to about two or three days. The scriptures do specify that one should fast oft. Generally a regular fast of a few meals would be more effective for most of us than trying to fast for long periods of time.
Why Fasting and Prayer?
In 1850, Lorenzo Snow had an incredible experience with fasting and prayer. He was laboring in Italy as a missionary, trying to open that country to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“He was somewhat shy and self-conscious, but spiritually, he was a giant. One family who had befriended him had a critically ill child. In fact, Elder Snow realized that only through sincere fasting, mighty prayer, unswerving faith, and through the power of the priesthood could that three-year-old child be saved. He knew how much the healing of this boy would mean to the people in this small Italian village.
“Climbing with his companion to a place of seclusion on the foothills of the Alps just above the village, in the spirit of fasting and prayer, he earnestly petitioned and pleaded with the Lord for six long, anxious hours for the privilege of using divine power to heal that little boy. Finally, the answer came; the reply was yes, he would be granted the privilege.
“As a humble servant of the Lord, he walked down the mountainside with perfect faith that the dying child’s life would be spared. The boy was then given a blessing and a promise that he would live. A few hours later when Elder Snow and his companion returned to the home, they found that the child was greatly improved and was well on the way to recovery. Elder Snow realized that his fasting and prayer had reached the throne of a benevolent Heavenly Father. He remarked to the grateful parents: ‘The God of heaven has done this for you’ (See Eliza R. Snow, Biography of Lorenzo Snow, pp. 128–29)” (Henry D. Taylor, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, pp. 18–19; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 15).
Jeff & Brayden
Please Join Us This Sunday!
We know that “nothing is impossible with God,“ and we sincerely hope that you’ll join us in this in special event for Jeff. We know that the Lord blesses his faithful servants and that God hears our prayers, and we have faith that with your help God will give Jeff and Angela the miracle they deserve.
Many thanks,
Friends of Jeff (Barry, Jason, and Trent)
http://www.facebook.com/helpjeff
http://www.helpjeff.org
