Our Sunday dinner was with several hundred Muslims. Yep, that's the truth. Craig and I attended a Ramadan 'Break the fast' at our local Mosque. During the month of Ramadan, which celebrates the month in which Mohammed received the Qur'an,
Muslims fast every day from Sun up to Sun down. Each night they meet together to break the fast with first a call to prayer then a feast. I was allowed to put a scarf over my head, remove my shoes and go into the room where the prayer was offered and observe. The men were all in straight rows at the front of the room. The ladies, with heads covered in various beautiful scarves, were in the back of the room along with children. A very long prayer is recited by the leader. Often everyone bows on their knees and prostrates themselves at times during the prayer. Moments of silence in which each individual recites parts of the prayer in silence occurs also.
After the prayer the meal began. In an effort not to overwhelm the taste buds of the guests mildly seasoned Persian food was served-all very delicious.
Craig and I were impressed as their leader spoke of the importance of fasting on the spirit. Our religions are alike in their devotedness to the individual overcoming the yearnings of the flesh to strengthen the spirit.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we fast 24 hours one day a month. Even though I have been doing this since I was 8 years old it still feels like a big deal. Being hungry is something I try to avoid. I carry snacks in my purse, in the car, and have taken preparing for a disaster seriously. I do not want to be hungry...ever! But, there is something powerful about fasting. It gives you the opportunity to say, "I am in charge of this screaming body of mine! I can do hard things! Feeding the body is instinct but feeding the spirit requires concentrated effort.
The best Fast is when I turn to Him for strength and offer to Him my hunger for righteousness.
John Groberg tells of a time when he was a young missionary in Tonga on a small island that was severely hit by a hurricane. Food became scarce as they waited and watched for a ship to come with supplies. During this period of waiting John became very weak from hunger and thirst. As he sat quietly under a tree trying to preserve strength he received enlightenment by reading scriptures and pondering. He records some of the Eternal truths he learned in a book entitled,
In the Eye of the Storm.
This is one that had impact on me:
“When you don’t have much food or water, your body seems to absorb about everything so you don’t have to move a lot. It was a good time for pondering. The Lord really gets our attention at times like this. Just sitting in a weakened condition for several days makes a deep impression. I wondered if that may have been one of the reasons that the Lord allowed Joseph Smith to sit in jail for several months. I reflected on the prophet’s statement, “The things of God are of more import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out” (TPJS, p.137).
TAKE TIME TO PONDER (p. 113): ‘Sometimes the situations that compel us to do so, such as illness or disasters, are seen as cursings rather than the blessings they can be if properly used. Is it possible that in our busy, work-a-day world, one of the great blessings the Lord gives us is to put us in a situation where we must be quiet, without a lot of outside disturbance and pressures? Maybe then we will study, ponder, and think of Him, His ways, and His purposes.
...Be still (D&C 101:16, Psalm 46:10)..(sit quietly, get rid of outside pressures-go to the temple, for example-don’t worry about this world) and know that I am God.”
OR “Be still so you can know that I am God and so you can learn of Me and My ways.” If we aren’t willing to be still, it’s harder to know that He is God. If the purpose of life is to know and love God, then maybe one of Satan’s best weapons to keep us from that knowledge is to keep us so busy, even doing good things, and so occupied with commitments and pressures that we don’t allow ourselves to be still so we can know God is God!”
Confession: I have a very difficult time being 'still'. For several months I have been trying to prioritize my life to allow a more of a stillness in my soul. I have had success with this but much room is left for growth.
John Groberg's forced Fast allowed him to sit quietly, offer himself to God and be taught what is really important in life.
It must feel triumphant to Fast for 30 days. I know it does for 24 hours! After 24 hours I feel a keener spiritual awakening. What would it be like to Fast 30 days? What awakening could take place?
In honor of 9-11 I joined the Interfaith Counsel and spent this morning doing yard work at the local Mosque. Muslims, Epsicopalians, Jews and LDS worked together, side-by-side. There was an air of kindness and love permeating the event.
