Taking turns for a ward fast?

[Rain]

I remember somewhere something being said about not doing a ward fast where everyone signs up for a day and so the "ward" fasts for a month.  Any idea where that came from?

[Pyreaux]

I never heard of any sign up for an extra Ward Fast. I want to know more. I love hearing of wards do things of their own initiative.

[CV75]

8 hours ago, Rain said:

I remember somewhere something being said about not doing a ward fast where everyone signs up for a day and so the "ward" fasts for a month.  Any idea where that came from?

McDonald's

[bluebell]

8 hours ago, Rain said:

I remember somewhere something being said about not doing a ward fast where everyone signs up for a day and so the "ward" fasts for a month.  Any idea where that came from?

I've never heard of a ward doing this (and so i've never heard of it not being allowed).  

[Calm]

Ward fasts in general are mentioned in a positive way on the Church’s website, but assigning days so someone is fasting each day for a month, but no one else is officially at least seems leaning towards God as a vending machine of blessings ideology.  What happens if someone forgets or can’t fast that day, changes their mind, gets sick, or just signed up and doesn’t actually fast…does the whole thing fail.  Do they need to call up the person in charge if they get sick on their day so there can be a scramble finding a replacement?

Edited March 20, 2023 by Calm

[bluebell]

22 minutes ago, Calm said:

Ward fasts in general are mentioned in a positive way on the Church’s website, but assigning days so someone is fasting each day for a month seems leaning towards God as a vending machine of blessings ideology.  What happens if someone forgets or can’t fast that day, changes their mind, gets sick, or just signed up and doesn’t actually fast…does the whole thing fail.  Do they need to call up the person in charge if they get sick on their day so there can be a scramble finding a replacement?

Good point!

Dr. Lili de Hoyos-Anderson made this point in the Follow Him podcast she was on a few weeks ago and she linked it to vain repetitions in prayer but reading your post makes me think that it can work just as well with fasting because fasting is petitioning the Lord for blessings, just like prayer is.

She said, when talking about the Lord's prayer--

"But I do want to mention this line that I think is so important just before that begins in verse eight 'for your father knoweth what things you have need of before you ask him after this manner, therefore pray ye.'

In other words, don't think you have to bring a grocery list to God or your entire wish list or everybody that you love and care about that you are hoping he will bless and be mindful of. This can become burdensome and frankly a little OCD and people get a little neurotic about it. I actually had a client once who told me that she had called every temple that was open in the world, and I think it was before we had cell phones so that it would've cost her some decent long distant money to do that, to put a loved one's name on the prayer roles of every temple. I mean, my heart broke for her because I'm like, "Oh, obviously you care so much about this person, and you desire so fervently that the Lord will be mindful of this person and bless them." But I mean, is this trying to stuff the ballot box?

I mean the Lord doesn't require that we become somewhat superstitious about it like 'did I mention, oh no, I forgot to mention this friend or this family member or this child. I don't think I... And the Lord won't know, oh no. Now I'm responsible if they're not blessed, if I know that's my fault, I didn't pray for that person. I forgot I or I got busy, or I couldn't stay awake after I was trying to go through my whole list'...

It's kind of like really? I mean, can we just understand the Lord for who He is and how good and merciful and gracious God is and that he is omniscient. He already knows what we need.

Now, the Bible Dictionary is very clear on this, and it says that God does require that we pray. He wants to hear from us. He wants us to invite him into our lives because he will not come where he is not invited, period. He never comes in with a brass band. That's Satan. God comes when we open the door. We've all seen that picture without the doorknob. And I, yes, he knows what we need. We need to invite him in and invite that blessing. And basically, that's what this simple prayer style does."

The idea of a ward fast where every day is covered does sound a bit superstitious to me.

[Bernard Gui]

3 hours ago, bluebell said:

Now, the Bible Dictionary is very clear on this, and it says that God does require that we pray. He wants to hear from us. He wants us to invite him into our lives because he will not come where he is not invited, period. He never comes in with a brass band. That's Satan. God comes when we open the door.

Jonah? Alma the Younger? Paul? Others?

[JAHS]

13 hours ago, Rain said:

I remember somewhere something being said about not doing a ward fast where everyone signs up for a day and so the "ward" fasts for a month.  Any idea where that came from?

I have also heard of this happening. Thirty members of a ward would choose a day to fast for one of the days in a month. This did not come from church leaders but was most likely the idea a Bishop or stake president who decided to try this to concentrate their fasting and praying for one specific reason. Haven't heard if it was effective but I suppose it can improve unity in a ward.

[Bernard Gui]

45 minutes ago, JAHS said:

I have also heard of this happening. Thirty members of a ward would choose a day to fast for one of the days in a month. This did not come from church leaders but was most likely the idea a Bishop or stake president who decided to try this to concentrate their fasting and praying for one specific reason. Haven't heard if it was effective but I suppose it can improve unity in a ward.

Seems like this approaches fasting and praying to be seen of men, but that’s just my take. 

[Rain]

53 minutes ago, JAHS said:

I have also heard of this happening. Thirty members of a ward would choose a day to fast for one of the days in a month. This did not come from church leaders but was most likely the idea a Bishop or stake president who decided to try this to concentrate their fasting and praying for one specific reason. Haven't heard if it was effective but I suppose it can improve unity in a ward.

It's come up a lot for my children when they have been in the singles wards. 

[bluebell]

12 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

Jonah? Alma the Younger? Paul? Others?

You’ve put together a wonderful argument for the existence of exceptions to rules, even when it comes to the gospel.

However, the existence of an exception doesn’t negate the rule and as the scriptures teach we ask then receive, we knock and then it is opened, we receive no witness until after the trial of our faith, etc.

Dr. de Hoyes-Anderson was obviously speaking to the rule. 😊

[LoudmouthMormon]

My ward used to hold a ward fast.  And during the priesthood session, we'd kneel as a priesthood body and be led in prayer for specific families and individuals. 

Someone higher up than the stake caught wind of it, and we continued, with very specific language up front that this was "a [LM's ward] tradition".

About 6 months after that, we were told we couldn't do it any more.

[Rain]

48 minutes ago, LoudmouthMormon said:

My ward used to hold a ward fast.  And during the priesthood session, we'd kneel as a priesthood body and be led in prayer for specific families and individuals. 

Someone higher up than the stake caught wind of it, and we continued, with very specific language up front that this was "a [LM's ward] tradition".

About 6 months after that, we were told we couldn't do it any more.

That's interesting. A few months back our stake had a missionary work fast.  After each ward fast and testimony meeting each bishop had their ward deal to pray together.

[Bernard Gui]

On 3/20/2023 at 12:30 PM, bluebell said:

You’ve put together a wonderful argument for the existence of exceptions to rules, even when it comes to the gospel.

However, the existence of an exception doesn’t negate the rule and as the scriptures teach we ask then receive, we knock and then it is opened, we receive no witness until after the trial of our faith, etc.

Dr. de Hoyes-Anderson was obviously speaking to the rule. 😊

Sorry, but this declarative statement is simply not true, doctorate or no.

Quote

He wants us to invite him into our lives because he will not come where he is not invited, period. He never comes in with a brass band. That's Satan.

Those are some pretty weighty exceptions. There are others.

He came into my father’s life uninvited with a very powerful “brass band” experience. Lamoni was caught with guile. There was a lot of noise and commotion when he, his father and mother, Zeezrom, and others were unexpectedly converted. Of course, my father, like all others to whom this has happened, had the freedom not to welcome the Lord in. I have often wondered about this scripture where Jesus himself said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…” 

[Bernard Gui]

21 hours ago, Rain said:

That's interesting. A few months back our stake had a missionary work fast.  After each ward fast and testimony meeting each bishop had their ward deal to pray together.

This can very easily be taken to extremes. 

[bluebell]

Just now, Bernard Gui said:

Sorry, but this declarative statement is simply not true, doctorate or no.

Those are some pretty weighty exceptions. There are others.

He came into my father’s life uninvited with a very powerful “brass band” experience. Lamoni was caught with guile. There was a lot of noise and commotion when he, his father and mother, Zeezrom, and others were unexpectedly converted. Of course, my father, like all others to whom this has happened, had the freedom not to welcome the Lord in. I have often wondered about this scripture where Jesus himself said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…” 

Ok.  I guess you could write Dr. Hoyes-Anderson about it and see if she would clarify.  She would probably agree with your exceptions and suggest her language during the conversation was more strident than it should have been, but I certainly can't speak for her.

[Bernard Gui]

29 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Ok.  I guess you could write Dr. Hoyes-Anderson about it and see if she would clarify.  She would probably agree with your exceptions and suggest her language during the conversation was more strident than it should have been, but I certainly can't speak for her.

Thank you. Just responding to a quote you posted. 
Nor can I, except to note that it appears to be an exaggerated claim that is not borne out in experience. She is more than welcome to her opinion, but period is a wee bit extreme. He chose the original Twelve. They did not choose Him.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Bernard Gui