Why We Should Fast and Pray?

Our youngest daughter, Geeree Camporazo, was one of the speakers in our Sacrament meeting this morning in the Church. It was her first time to speak before the members of La Carlota first Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Geeree Camporazo

As she began her talk, she greeted all father a happy father's day then she especially mentioned me for being a good father to her and I responded with a big smile from the pews while I was sitting with my wife and the others members of my family..

She shared about the importance of fasting and prayer and why we should do them. Fasting and prayer when combined can give added strength to those giving and receiving priesthood blessings according to her as she referred to the male members of the Church who have the authority of the Priesthood. The reason why the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ in His time could perform a miracles because of their fasting and prayer.

She pointed out that if we have a weakness or sin that we have struggled to overcome, we may need to fast and pray in order to receive the help or forgiveness we desire.

She expounded first what is fasting. She mentioned that to fast is to go without food and drink voluntarily for certain period of time. And if it is combined with sincere prayer it can strengthen us spiritually, bring us closer to God and help us prepare ourselves and others to receive His blessings.

She enumerated the purpose of fasting according to the scriptures as follows:

• Fasting is one way of worshiping God and expressing gratitude to Him. (Luke 2:37 ; Alma 45:1). 
• We can fast as we ask Heavenly Father to bless the sick or afflicted. (Matthew 17:14-21). 
• Fasting may help us and those we love receive personal revelation and become converted to the truth. (Alma 5:46,6:6). 
• Through fasting we can gain strength to resist temptation. (Isaiah 58:6). 
• We can fast as we strive to humble ourselves before God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. (Omni 1:26,Helaman 3:35).

Geeree and her father Gil, the author

The Church has observed the first Sunday - as a day of fasting. The members are attending fast and testimony meeting by sharing their faith-promoting experiences or testimonies about the Gospel, and by giving fast offering to help care for those in need.

Therefore, she emphasized that fasting and praying can be a blessing to our families by citing some situations.

She said that they can help us strengthen ourselves and our families. Our prayer for guidance is  made more powerful with fasting which emphasizes the earnestness of our prayers.

When we fast and pray, she stressed, we turn away from the things of the world and recognize our dependence on the Lord. In this way, we open our hearts to learn and accept God's will for us and our families.

She cited that there are often times when fasting and prayer can help us accomplish the Lord's work especially for the families assigned to us to home teach. She gave an example the experience of her brother Gilbor Junior who is in mission for 2 years in Butuan Philippines Mission.

She said, "Our brother informed us through his letter that while he's looking for Church referral or investigator to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, together with his companion fasted and prayed. And they got many baptisms in return."

Also through fasting and prayer, many will be blessed physically and increase in faith and spiritual power. Such power is necessary if we are to be successful in our labors and in strengthening ourselves and others.

In doing all these things, she posed a challenge to everyone's agency or volition on how to determine some of the things they need to fast and pray about in their personal life and in their family, to think also about some of the needs of their fellow quorum members and to commit themselves to pray and fast for one of these purposes.

I noticed my daughter the way she delivered her short spiritual talk as if she's just giving a lecture or conducting a lesson presentation to her class. By the way, she is an instructional manager (IM), contractual teacher of Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.