I believe in the power of prayer and fasting. Praying can be good, but praying and fasting can be even better. When you leave your worldly cares, like food, behind you and engage in fasting, it can bring you physical peace from the constant food, and allow your body to cleanse itself of all the impurities. Then when you combine it with prayer you can start to experience spiritual peace. Your spirit and body can start to connect together again like they were meant to. Some people start out their fast with a prayer. This can be beneficial to both body and mind. I always end my fast with a prayer, especially thanking God for all that he has blessed me with.
Fasting and prayer can be done by oneself or with a group of individuals. I have fasted for myself before, to have the courage to face a certain obstacle in my life. I have fasted for my family to have the desires of their hearts granted unto them. I have also fasted with my church for individuals that were struggling emotionally or physically. I feel it brings us closer together as a congregation when we all fast and pray together.
One of my experiences has given me the conviction to keep fasting and praying. When I was first married to my husband, I found out that he needed a new kidney. I prayed and prayed for several months that he would be able to receive a new kidney. He was getting sicker and sicker. Each time I took him to the hospital I thought, “could this
really be it?” I knew what needed to happen. I called all the family and asked if they would all join us in a special family fast for a new kidney for my husband. The whole family and I fasted and prayed for my husband that he would be able to receive this new kidney and that his life would be spared. The kidney did not come right after I got done fasting. It did, however, come the very same month that I helped hold that family fast for my husband. Some may say that this is just coincidence, but I like to think that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and he cares whether or not my husband received a new kidney or not.
I have found that fasting and praying is one of the best ways to start a month off right. It helps me to look at life more positively. I definitely put things into better perspective when I fast and pray. I am able to do more for myself, family, and community just by this very simple act once a month. You can also do it more often if you feel you need to. In the end I would just like to say that if you want to reconnect your body and spirit, you should try fasting with prayer.