A description of the Mormon custom of fasting for one day each month.
Fasting
Last updated 2009-10-05
Fasting and fast offerings
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fast each month (on the first Sunday) by going without food and drink for two consecutive meals.
They give the amount of money they would have spent for the meals to the church (they can give more if they wish). This offering is called the fast offering.
On that particular Sunday the local Mormon community comes together for a fast and testimony meeting.
Bishops use these fast offerings to provide food, shelter, clothing, and medical care for the needy.
The fast is preceded, accompanied, and followed by prayer. Without prayer the fast doesn't have much, if any, spiritual value. Mormons believe that fasting and prayer together make them more receptive to God's influence and helps them to focus on spiritual things.
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