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I haven’t been on this forum for quite some time. In that time I have withdrawn from the church. The treatment I received there finally just caused me to stop attending. However, I still love the church members and want them to find blessings in their lives. In order to help them, I am organizing a special fast and prayer for the church leaders. I have a strong belief in the power of collective faith. I have seen miracles in my own life when many of my friends have prayed on my behalf. I believe that fasting and praying for the church leaders will make a difference in them and in the church members many of us love.
I will be fasting on August 25th, forty days before the beginning of the October General Conference, and again on October 4th, the first day of the conference. During the forty days in between those dates, I will be praying every day on behalf of the church leaders. I’m asking all who desire to do so to join me in my fasting and prayer.
I’ve also posted this on my blog:
http://www.rosefromarock.com/2014/07/30/a-special-fast-and-prayer-period-for-the-lds-church-leaders/ As they say in our church, every fast should have a purpose….do you have a specific goal in mind in fasting for the leaders? That they will lead us in creating a kinder, gentler church? Or some other purpose? I’m simply curious. I have to confess, a fast like this is counterintuitive given the personal wounding i feel I have received from leaders over time, but the idea intrigues me. SilentDawning wrote:As they say in our church, every fast should have a purpose….do you have a specific goal in mind in fasting for the leaders? That they will lead us in creating a kinder, gentler church? Or some other purpose? I’m simply curious. I have to confess, a fast like this is counterintuitive given the personal wounding i feel I have received from leaders over time, but the idea intrigues me.
Thank you for asking. Yes, it does seem rather counter-intuitive, and from many angles.I have many friends who are becoming disenchanted with the church and fighting with those who remain firmly loyal to the church. My main motivation is finding some middle ground between the two groups. Nearly all my friends believe in the power of prayer and so I felt like asking them to fast and pray for the church leaders might help bring them together.
But I really do think it will help the church leaders and the members. I believe that the church has gotten carried away with the idea that they hold the “keys” and are the one and only way to salvation. That is Christ’s role, not theirs. But beating them and the loyal members up over the matter isn’t helping anyone. Praying for them is the only thing I believe has real power to help.
Christ told us to pray for our enemies. I have done this and know the power there is in doing so. It usually does nothing for the person I am praying for, but changes me and changes my heart instead. However, in this case, with many people praying for the church leaders, I feel it will effect them as well. I believe we will all be better for it.
I don’t know if that answers your questions. I don’t want to specify a certain purpose other than just generally “for the church leaders” because I want as many people to participate as possible.
I see what you mean. I think if you framed it this way “Pray and fast for your leaders that they will be able to achieve some objective, change of mind, or other worthy outcome that you think is important at this time in our history”. That would be more specific, but general enough that anyone can participate. And it would leave room for unorthodox goals. In our church, when we are asked to pray for your leaders, its usually for their benefit as they live the status quot. Opening it up so people could pray for change, for example, in the hearts of the leaders might engender more support.
I personally would pray and fast for these kinds of things:
a) That leaders will implement Boyd K Packer’s advice to stop looking at members as simply resources to staff the church.
b) That there will be more of a balance between the needs of individuals and the needs of the church. As it stands, the pendulum seems to swing in favor of the church more that I think is healthy.
c) That leaders will be more accepting of doubters, people with cultural beliefs that conflict with prevailing beliefs in the church, etcetera.
Those are some good suggestions of non-offensive things to pray for; however, I am surprisingly finding opposition to my suggestion among church members already and think it might be more conducive to the purposes to keep it as open as possible. Some people seem suspect due to my membership status. It’s quite disheartening, to tell the truth. It’s easy to understand that reaction, CtS – especially since praying for the Church leadership is such a common request but fasting for something usually is reserved for something specific – and often to help “fix” or “solve” a difficult situation or even a crisis. I like your idea, especially on a personal level, but I can understand why others might be hesitant to participate in an organized way. It simply doesn’t fit the way they view leadership – as needing a special fast to help them in what they do.
I believe in prayer. And fasting…. to an extent. And that is coming from a pantheist perspective.
Old-Timer wrote:
I like your idea, especially on a personal level, but I can understand why others might be hesitant to participate in an organized way. It simply doesn’t fit the way they view leadership – as needing a special fast to help them in what they do.That’s it right there. Well Said Ray.
I will fast and pray for healing, as well as for courage in leadership. I think it’s great that you want to heal the pain and chasms that exist. To remove the illness of the present. Even if your circle is small – no sparrow is forgotten. Blessed be your heart. I pray your desires in prayer are met, this day and in the days to come. I think this is a good and positive idea. We should pray and fast not only for their well being but that they might take the organization forward in the most appropriate and Christian ways possible. I really like that, mom3 and SamBee – and I think Sam’s wording is both broad and “faithfully phrased” enough to appeal to just about everyone. Thanks!
Old-Timer wrote:I really like that, mom3 and SamBee – and I think Sam’s wording is both broad and “faithfully phrased” enough to appeal to just about everyone.
Thanks!
Thanks Ray, I’m not the best at diplomacy… but I think we all share in common a wish for the best possible outcome. It’s just we disagree what that is sometimes!
Jesus does say to pray for our enemies, but we should also pray for our friends, and acquaintances too… so I don’t think we should spin it as something for our enemies! I disagree with some of the church leaders, but still sustain them, and do not wish to undermine them, despite their views on various matters.
I think Jesus meant that we should pray for people whatever our opinion of them, good, bad or indifferent, and in doing so, we paradoxically improve our relations with them in many cases.
As anyone who knows the slightest thing about the COJCLDS knows, it is that its leadership hold a variety of views, have different personalities, and are not necessarily a monolithic block.
Thank you so much for your support, everyone! Bump. Just a reminder for those of you who wanted to join. This starts two days from now.
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