Is not this the fast that I have chosen--that thou hide not thyself from thy own flesh?

(Isaiah 58:6-7)
Over the last few weeks, I discussed with family members an inspiring idea mentioned in my High Priests meeting a few weeks ago as we studied the subject of fasting. This is that each month prior to the regular Church Fast Sunday, we communicate by e-mail about matters that might be important subjects for our family to fast about. Then each family makes sure that they fast purposefully for these (and any other personal family items) by 1) dedicating their fast together in prayer at the start of the fasting period, 2) continuing to pray individually and in the family for these items over the course of the fast, and finally 3) praying for these items together just prior to breaking the fast.

We followed this process. I sent an initial e-mail out to our family on January 30th, a week before most of us have Fast Sunday, asking for subjects for a family fast. Then on Thursday Feb 3rd I sent a follow-up e-mail drawn from family responses:
“As I mentioned earlier, one thing that we are praying for, and will fast for, is help with Heidi's visa to enter Spain. Currently they are having trouble getting visas approved and missionaries are having to go stateside or to alternate missions for at least 1 month before a visa is approved. So, we are praying such that if it be the Lord's will, Heidi's visa will come soon so she can enter Spain as originally planned. Thanks, Quin”
“We thought it might be nice for people to remember Garrett. He is doing so much better with his speech, but maybe we could fast that he will be cooperative and work hard with the new therapist he will start with soon. This is a nice idea, Dad. Em”

I have checked back with most of the family, and everyone I talked to had good experiences with the fast. Some families said that this family process gave them incentive do things they had not done consistently, such as gather the family together on Saturday to dedicate their fasting. Some of the grandchildren did a better job of not eating during this period. Joshua went a full 24 hours for the first time (and did it voluntarily without prompting). He told his dad that he had learned that if you keep busy, you don’t notice that you are hungry.

For Wendy and me, it was a sweet and satisfying experience. At our age and conditions, it is easy to let fasting slip by. Wendy has this pre-diabetic condition where she gets shaky if she goes without food. I have been struggling with some stomach irritation. Also, we both have meds every morning that are supposed to be taken with food. But, inspired by the rest of you, we made fasting work this time, without any negative effects. We dedicated our fast Saturday evening and went a full 24 hours, and had a sweet prayer time at the end. It was inspiring to us to consider that in our homes, all across this country, prayers were being offered and faith exercised unitedly by members of our family, and especially by our grandchildren. It is hard to put in words the meaningfulness to us of this latter connection–that in Boston and Arkansas and South Weber and Utah County, our families and especially our grandchildren are uniting at the same time in the same prayer for particular needs of family members.