Global Fast Touches Many Lives

At the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson invited Church members and friends to participate in a worldwide fast on Good Friday.

Watch his invitation here.

In introducing the topic, President Nelson said, “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.”

He added, "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."

Fasting is nothing new for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints all over the world fast on the first Sunday of each month and donate the money they would have spent on food to help assist the poor and needy.    

The global fast united people of many faiths and no faith at all from around the world in a common cause. Various Facebook groups were started, the largest of which is "Worldwide Unified, Many Faiths, One Place" with nearly 575,000 members and continuing to grow. Their page invites people to share their experiences with fasting, prayer and inspiration.

One Facebook post comes from Megan Michaels Monson, who shared, "Kind people from all over and with many different faith traditions or beliefs are accepting an invitation to pray to God and fast with a common purpose in mind - the end of the COVID-19 pandemic!"

Another post is from Brandi Noble who recently noted, "Since joining this group, my life has been forever changed. Seeing all the goodness has moved me like none else...Being a part of this incredible group, with people from all walks of life joining together in love and peace, feels like another world...What I’ve experienced and felt in that group, along with over half a million others, is surely a glimpse of what heaven will be like. All of God’s children united."

Many in the South Pacific had positive things to say about the fast and its effect.

Moana Fidow, of Samoa, said, "A lot of different people around the globe requested to continue the worldwide fasting. What a great opportunity to all feel love and support from each other everywhere. Even here locally, everybody truly supports the worldwide fasting."

Waireka Collings, of the Upper Hutt area of New Zealand, said, “I was very keen to participate in the worldwide fast to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially after joining in the Pacific fast to stop the spread of the fires in Australia, I witnessed then the faith of people at work in the rain that followed that fast and I know that this same faith can cure the world of covid-19...I was excited to feel like I could do a little something to ease the pain and suffering being experienced in the world and I knew, based on the messages from our leaders, that it is within our power to make a difference."

She continues, "I am sure there is a long way to go yet, but I feel as though there is a protective influence on me and my family as a result of obedience and willingness to participate. Fasting has been a blessing.”

Nine-year-old Anna Joyce from Tonga, said, "I feel very blessed and happy that I can pray and fast because we really need Heavenly Father’s help.”

Her mother, Nua, added, "Anna Joyce fasted in the past for her Grandpa Taniela who fell ill and needed blessings, when she was 4 and 8 years old but only for a few hours. Now at 9 years old, she’s happy to have joined the global fasting for COVID-19 on Good Friday, skipping two meals and for the whole 24 hours." 

She concludes, "As a mother, I hope to continue to fast and pray with my daughter to instill the importance of prayer and fasting."