My birthday request

Day before yesterday (Friday, April 3) I saw so much about corona virus all over facebook—as I do every day. I saw companies taking even stronger measures to implement "social distancing." I heard of a foreign leader telling the police to shoot anyone who breaks curfew—even to kill them if "necessary." (Because that will help the death-toll.) My friends and family posted many (too many) variations of "stay home" which, although the words themselves sound innocuous, have an underlying voice of doom-mongering, imply that we are uncaring and irresponsible, or even go so far as to threaten us with everything bad if we should darken our own front doors.

By the end of the day I felt weighed down, and my mind seemed dark. I went to bed wishing I could cry and cry and cry. At 2:37 I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep; by 5:00 a.m. I was finally able to have that cry. I never did get any more sleep for the night.

Saturday morning I joined with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to watch our general conference and hear the words of our prophets and apostles. Despite being exhausted from a night of very little sleep, I felt the weight lift from me. The world seemed a better place. I gained some peace.

This evening our prophet, Russell M. Nelson quoted Matthew 17:21:  "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." He further said, "I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers be protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized." 

Most of you, my friends and family, probably saw this same conference session, and heard President Nelson's plea. Many of you are probably already planning to fast on April 10.

For the rest of you, I'd like to ask personally that you do this—as a birthday gift to me. (Yep. My b-day is April 10.)

In our church we try to fast for 24 hours—or skip two meals. During this time of fasting, we pray for whatever blessing is needed (a growling stomach is a good reminder that it's time to pray ;-) ). To make it an even better fast, we use the money that would have paid for those two meals to help someone in need. Instead of donating money, perhaps  you could check up on someone who might be lonely, donate TP or food to a neighbor...

It's up to you to decide the best way to do your fast. The personal sacrifice and the prayer are the important things.

If you can do this on April 10, I would be grateful. If you choose to join the fast, invite your other friends to participate too. I don't need replies, or want any kind of written commitment here. I'm just asking, as a favor.

Thanks,
Loralee