President Nelson Asks Latter-day Saints to “Unite Our Faith Once Again” in Fast on Good Friday

Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer

  • 4 April 2020

President Russell M. Nelson speaks during the Saturday evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference on April 4, 2020.

Article Highlights

  • Fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the pandemic may be controlled.

“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.” —President Russell M. Nelson

For the second time in as many weeks, Latter-day Saints and all others are being called to join in a worldwide fast.

“For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again,” said President Russell M. Nelson in his Saturday evening general conference address. “Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic.

“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.”

President Nelson first invited members and others to participate in a worldwide fast on Sunday, March 29, to plead with the Lord for “physical and spiritual healing” in response to COVID-19. Latter-day Saints around the globe reported feeling peace, hope, and unity as they joined with President Nelson and legions of others around the world for a historic Sabbath-day fast.

On Saturday evening, the Church President taught that a customary fast is two meals or a period of 24 hours.

“But you decide what would constitute a sacrifice for you, as you remember the supreme sacrifice the Savior made for you,” he said. “Let us unite in pleading for healing throughout the world.

“Good Friday would be the perfect day to have our Heavenly Father and His Son hear us!”

 

Unified fasting offers disciples a precious opportunity to “put [their] faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action” at a moment in the world marked by pandemic fears and commotion.

Church members, of course, observe the law of the fast one day each month. It is an ancient doctrine practiced since the days of Moses, David, Esther, Isaiah, and Daniel.

The Lord said in Old Testament times, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free?” (Isaiah 58:6).
 

In a recent social media video, President Nelson said, “As a physician and surgeon, I have great admiration for medical professionals, scientists, and all who are working around the clock to curb the spread of COVID-19.”

Now, as President of the Church and its senior Apostle, he testifies of an all-knowing, merciful God who offers salvation to all who repent and believe in Him.

“So, 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.”

Wilfred Rosa and his wife, Idaliz Santiago, spent the Sabbath day, March 29, 2020, fasting and spending time with their children—Alexander, Daniela, and Marina. Like many members worldwide, the family accepted President Russell M. Nelson’s invitation to fast for a resolution to the coronavirus pandemic.

The New Testament’s Paul admonished Saints in Corinth to “give yourselves to fasting and prayer” (1 Corinthians 7:5). And the Savior Himself taught that certain things go “not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).

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