Is there anyone out there?

[cecelia1027]

I am returning to church activity after an absence of 5 years. I have attended sacrament meeting for 3 times but have been trying to be very quiet and very unnoticed. It's difficult to be invisible in this church! I am fasting this Sunday and am praying for many things. Since I don't really know who to ask and I can't find an answer in the scriptures...I know to abstain from eating food but in a true fast does one drink water or not?....Julie

[Palerider]

I am returning to church activity after an absence of 5 years. I have attended sacrament meeting for 3 times but have been trying to be very quiet and very unnoticed. It's difficult to be invisible in this church! I am fasting this Sunday and am praying for many things. Since I don't really know who to ask and I can't find an answer in the scriptures...I know to abstain from eating food but in a true fast does one drink water or not?....Julie

Start your fast and end your fast with prayer....if don't do that then all you are doing is starving yourself....in order to fast one must abstain from food or water for at least 2 meals and no longer that 24hrs....hope this helps!!!

[skalenfehl]

Indeed fasting should be purposeful, whether for help or guidance or simply for rejoicing.

[Rbestmom13]

Why are you trying to stay invisible? Maybe there is someone out there who needs you to reach out to them, or even more important, maybe someone is praying to find someone they can reach out to. The Lord established this Church to help us to return to Him. He did it because He knew we all needed others in order to make it. I commend you for returning to church, but my advice is to find your Bishop and talk with him. Don't just go to church, be In the church. There is nothing better than having a good support system when you are trying to make changes. As for fasting, it is the feelings that count more than the specific dos and don'ts, but you should try to abstain from food and water for 24 hours. Good luck to you.

[blainebullman]

Welcome cecelia1027,it's wonderful to hear you have returned to church.I didn't leave and stop coming to church but i was away spiritually and now i came back.The church does make such a difference in your life.Your bishop is the best person to ask,he is there to help and talk to you.Hope you enjoy the site :)

[Maya]

Welcome cecelia...

[WillowTheWhisp]

cecelia, a true fast is what is in your heart. If you cannot abstain from food and water and remain healthy then it is not required that you be so strict. What I am trying to say that the spirit of the fast is more important than the letter of the law. I cannot abstain from water for the whole period until my evening meal or I would dehydrate due to a medical problem. I cannot abstain from food as long as others either due to diabetes and I could go hypo. But I do what I can and I pay my full fast offering.

[fish4kitty]

Willow makes a good point here. The spirit of the fast is what is important. Medical reasons can keep some people from doing the full 24 hr thing. I forgot to say Welcome aboard!!!! Hope you reach your answers that you are looking for.

[Gaea]

The Thread Is Not About Being Invisable.

The Reason You Dont Want To Be Seen Is Because, EveryOne One That Day Is Fasting, And You Feel Uncomfortable That You Are All Aware Of It. The Reason You All Fast That 1 day Per Month Is To Also Donate Charity To Others Less Fortunate. But This In Itself Of Being Charitable Also Feels Uncomfortable Because You Know That You All Do It.

It May Feel Self Glorified Becasue You All Know That Your Fasting And Giving Charity. The Fact Is, You Dont Have To Fast At The Same Time Evermonth And It Is A Rule Not To Brag About It. So You Should All Fast Without Knowing That Your Fasting And Withou Knowing That You'll Give Charity. It Is Wrong To Tell Others When You Are Fasting.

As A Whole, You Are All Fasting Together But God Tells Us To Fast Individually And In Seclution With God. Fasting Is Supposed To Be Personal Time With God As An Individual.

Though I Do Believe You Make A Good Example Of Charity, You Must Not Now When You Do Give.

[fish4kitty]

There is power in prayer and fasting in groups also. Never have I felt self glorifying not once. I'm not sure I am following your train of thought GAEA

[Rbestmom13]

I have to agree with fish4kitty. I am not following your train of thought either. Are you saying there shouldn't be a day set apart for fasting and offerings for the whole church? Are you saying that just because other people know you are fasting it is not effective? The scriptures say that we should not have long faces and groan when we are fasting because we don't fast to get attention. But it never says that we should not fast if other people know we are fasting. The point is the feelings we get when we fast. I don't think it matters if other people know we are fasting. For example, there are many people who can't fast and I don't have a clue who can and can't in my ward. On fast Sunday my only concern is that I am humble in my fast. It is not about anyone else but me. My offerings are, again, very personal. Yes they have asked us all to pay a fast offering, but no one knows how much anyone else pays or if they pay. Even the deacons who collect the offerings have no idea how much is given unless they break the rules and look. But what does it matter? We don't give our offerings in front of other people to get their attention or praise. That is what the Savior has warned us about. Our offerings are given privately whether they are all given on the same day or not. No one forces us to fast or pay fast offerings on the first Sunday of every month. No one knows if we do either so therefore it is still a very private thing and I have never known a self glorifying fast myself.