The scriptures abundantly indicate that fasting is a major component of spiritual experience. What is it about this practice that lends itself to the production or magnification of God's gifts?
Anyone who's tried fasting knows that it quickly and easily produces physical fatigue. These sensations of weakness tend to be associated with silent, inward contrition that only God can see:
"I humbled my soul with fasting" (Ps. 35:13). "I...chastened my soul with fasting" (Ps. 69:10).
"And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you" (Matt 6:16 – 18, NLT).
These scriptures show that fasting is meant to be a private practice, accessible by all, to humble and chasten one's soul. The soul is humbled as the tables are turned against the natural body and its constant lusts, which include hunger. David, lamenting the sins of ancient Israel said that they "tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust" (Ps. 78:18, emphasis added). This did not end well for Israel, unable to control their cravings:
"So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; they were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them" (Ps. 78:29 – 31).
The etymology of fasting means to "'hold firmly,' and the sense evolved via 'have firm control of oneself,' to 'hold oneself to observance'" ("fast," etymonline.com, accessed 12 Aug 2021). It is directly related to the English verb to fasten, as in, to firmly tie something down with a rope. It is appropriate therefore to think of fasting as one's spirit fastening down the body to show it who is boss.
Incidentally, with this definition in mind it is clear that the purpose of fasting can be lost through excessive abstinence from food, for that produces an inability for the spirit to maintain control of the body, though the cravings are subdued. Christ commanded that a group of people cease from fasting in order to avoid just such an end:
"Jesus summoned his disciples and said, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way'" (Matt. 15:32, WEB).
This is why the Lord instructs that fasting should not end with a craving-satiating feast; it would defeat the point of why one fasted in the first place! "Let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full" (D&C 59:13). Despite the physical fatigue, fasting is designed to make the spirit feel good.
Though periods of hours-long fasts bookended by dedicatory prayers can accomplish this, fasting—like prayer—should not be confined to limited, formal ritual. One may fast from meal to meal, or from moment to moment, when the cravings of the body for food are subdued and not given in to. Paired with constant prayer, it is possible for the daily routine of "the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints" (D&C 89:3), can involve "much prayer and fasting," leading to "the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation" (Alma 17:3)
When done correctly—or rather with "with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ" (Moro. 10:4)—fasting produces in the spirit a feeling of joy, like a flicker of light or the sound of a pleasant babbling brook; the Lord says that true "fasting and prayer" may rightly be called "rejoicing and prayer" (D&C 59:14, emphasis added).
The spirit rejoices as it is sanctified by the Holy Spirit in the offering of sacrifice (see 3 Ne. 9:20). The Lord, who sees the inward sacrifice, blesses the one who offers in righteousness before him. Indeed, as we engage in fasting, with our faces set unto the Lord God (see Dan. 9:3), and the will of the flesh bound by the strength of the spirit, we offer our whole souls as an offering unto him:
"And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved" (Omni 1:26, emphasis added).
Comments