During His ministry, the Savior happened upon a large gathering of scribes and others. A man's son was possessed with a demon, and despite the efforts of His disciples, they could not cast it out. The Savior rebuked the demon and cast it out of the suffering son. Later, in private, the disciples asked why they were not able to assist the son. The Savior's response was, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." (See Mark 9:14-29.)

The Lord was explaining to His followers that sometimes we are confronted with problems so immense or difficult that they require efforts beyond our normal abilities. In this case, prayer and fasting would be needed on the son's behalf. It is also a reminder that fasting with a purpose can yield great spiritual rewards.

Fasting improves our lives and gives us added strength. It helps us live other principles of the gospel because it draws us nearer to the Lord. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." (Isaiah 58:8-9.)

Fasting can have many purposes. We can overcome our own weakness or problems through a combination of fasting and prayer. Sometimes we may wish to fast and pray for help or guidance for ourselves or for others, such as when a family member is ill or needs a special blessing.

And through our monthly fast offerings we become partners with the Lord in ministering to the needs of our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

President Spencer W. Kimball said of fasting, "This principle of promise, when lived in the spirit thereof, greatly blesses both giver and receiver. Upon practicing the law of the fast, one finds a personal wellspring of power to overcome self-indulgence and selfishness. . . . If we give a generous fast offering, we shall increase our own prosperity both spiritually and temporally. (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 145.)

When we fast properly we learn to control our appetites, our passions, and our tempers. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." (Proverbs 16:32.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "It is not a burden to refrain from two meals a month and give the value thereof to assist in caring for the poor. It is, rather, a blessing. Not only will physical benefits flow from the observance of this principle, but spiritual values also. Our program of the fast day and the fast offering is so simple and so beautiful that I cannot understand why people everywhere do not take it up." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 217.)

What can we do to make our fasting more spiritual? What things do we need to fast for? How can we strengthen each other through fasting? What worthy purpose may we be overlooking?

We can fast in behalf of our non-LDS friends as they consider becoming converted to the truth. In addition, fasting can help comfort us in times of sorrow and mourning. Fasting can help us to become humble and feel closer to our Heavenly Father.

President Kimball observed: "We often have our individual reasons for fasting. But I hope members won't hesitate to fast to help us lengthen our stride in our missionary effort, to open the way for the gospel to go to the nations where it is not now permitted. It's good for us to fast as well as to pray over specific things and over specific objectives." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 145.)

Our purpose in fasting should not be to impress others. "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast. . . ." (Matthew 6:16-18.)

President Hinckley reminds us, "If every member of this Church observed the fast and contributed generously, the poor and the needy — not only of the Church, but many others as well — would be blessed and provided for. Every giver would be blessed in body and spirit, and the hungry would be fed, the naked clothed according to need." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 458.)