SALT LAKE CITY — People from all over the world came together on Good Friday to fast for relief from the coronavirus pandemic.

The fast was in response to an invitation from President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than 530,000 people joined a Facebook group asking people to participate in the fast that included people of all faiths from all over the world.

We asked you to tell us what fasting means to you. Here's what some of you told us:

Build faith

"Prayers have immense strength. It does not turn around the adverse situation to a miraculously pleasant one, but it purifies and strengthen our soul such that we face the adverse situation with a brave heart. I believe fasting fortifies the humane quality within us and reinforce empathy for others. So let’s all pray together for every creation of the Almighty."

"It means laying aside the things of the world to seek for things that are better."

"I think it's a great opportunity to show the world what a little bit of faith in a higher power can do."

"Thank you for asking the world to join in faith to rid this world of the virus. I have faith that with the Lords help we can overcome it. Let’s all have faith this Easter season."

"An act of faith, a free will offering, an act of obedience, an act of allowing my will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father and the Son. . . . We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet."

"I am happy to share my faith in a world wide united fast with the object of supplicating God for assistance in ameliorating the effects of the covid-19 illness."

"I am happy to faith that our almighty God can do such an amazing things as heal our world of this terrible disease and restore good health to all who ask with faith, and in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. I feel humbled and honor to be a partner in this great session of Fast and Prayer for all people of this earth."

"It means that I join others in a mighty act of faith and hope while petitioning God for his mercy."

Inspiration

"I have been getting a lot of promptings about how to help my family through this. I have also been prompted to be very specific in my goals in how I would like to grow and change during this and make sure they are individualized and thought through, not just following generalized advice and ideas from the world.

"I am working on being overly patient, making sure that everyone leaves my presence feeling loved as possible and organizing my house. I also feel like I need to be thoughtful about heart health.

"I am feeling more hopeful for the world, but am very concerned about victims of abuse and domestic violence during this time. I feel like we need to draw near to the Lord and see this as a time to be careful about what we watch, think and do. I am not spending a lot of time watching television or online. I am trying to do the things that I have always told myself I would do if I had time, but also asking myself which of those things matter most. I am spending as much time as possible with my children."

""This fast has been so far reaching and included so many people. I have felt so happy that I am fasting with others for the safety of my doctor son, my friends' doctor and nursing sons and daughters. A family member with Covid and her children and grandchildren. The people in my neighborhood who are working from home and those with struggling businesses. I feel such love and unity today with all the world and my faith is that God will help us and bless us. That he will pour down knowledge and understanding to help the sick and keep the healthy well and we will have normalization. I pray too that I will forever remember how good it feels to have a part to play in our global family."

Related:

'We still need help from heaven': Why President Nelson called for another global fast

President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the church's First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, sat in chairs, feet apart, looking out into empty seats in an auditorium.

Connect with others and God

"Powerful! I've never seen or experienced something like this and to unite in faith and fast and pray for relief from a pandemic has been so powerful. Heavenly Father sees all, knows all, and will bless us (as a world) for our efforts to receive relief."

"It’s made me feel more connected to so many around the world where Good Friday represents a day of great suffering. In Utah, we historically focus on Easter. It’s important to recognize universal suffering in order to unite us as a human family."

"I have felt closer to God and hopeful that He will hear our prayers and help us in our need."

"Our prayers include the need and hope for intervention and healing of civility and good will toward all men and women. We pray also for compassion and outreach and Christlike living across the isles and fences of governments, nations and neighbors. We need healing of bodies and hearts. We are asking for both."

"We are all brothers and sisters with one God, one world, one hope ... that we cherish each other."

"Fasting causes me to stop and reflect, as well as pay serious attention to the reality of God, and our relationship to Him, and what we should be doing with our lives. He is real, and fasting mutes physical appetites in favor of spiritual connection."

"I feel a sense of strength and power opening up with so many world wide uniting in this fast. It is humbling to be a part of something so much bigger than myself, and to know that God will hear our prayers as a world wide community. I do not know the outcome of all this, but I do know we will see blessings come; probably in unexpected ways. I can truly say this fast is bringing to me hope and joy."

"To unite Gods people ,even though we are all over the world that day we are together."

"Heart felt Unity, we are ALL Gods children!"

"Unifying my prayers and thoughts with members of other faith groups is an awe-inspiring thought. Prayer is powerful, but consecrating our thoughts and lives world-wide will not only unify, but also hallow our cause and make us all less diverse and more at-one with our Creator."

"It shows me that we truly are all brothers and sisters and that if we unite in pleading to our God and Father, He will show His mercy and we will be able to see miracles fall upon our world, like that of relief of this pandemic at this time."

"it is exciting to me to share this act with others worldwide. I believe our prayers will be heard and God will do his will."

"Prayers have immense strength. It does not turn around the adverse situation to a miraculously pleasant one, but it purifies and strengthen our soul such that we face the adverse situation with a brave heart. I believe fasting fortifies the humane quality within us and reinforce empathy for others. So let’s all pray together for every creation of the Almighty."

"i have not been good at fasting it is one of the principles of the gospel that i have not devoted myself to. But fasting with the world this day gives me understanding that when we pray for our needs and desires that we show a willingness on our part to sacrifice for those prayers to be answered."

"It means there is no division among us. All our hearts and knit together; our thoughts and prayers are being united as brothers and sisters from all parts of the world and all faiths. All faiths, says it all. We all have faith enough in our Savior to join together in pray and supplication. We are uniting our faith in the Savior Jesus Christ no matter how we understand his life and sacrifice."

"It is wonderful to be part of something so important that it is being embraced the world over! It proves that no matter what our religious beliefs, nationality, language, race, background, circumstances, location, political affiliation, or age we can all join together as the children of God and as citizens of the world, uniting together in a massive effort towards a common goal that effects all of us on the good earth."

"By uniting with a large number of people worldwide for a specific cause, I believe we can bring about miracles and, in the case of the corona virus, a specific miracle according to the will of our Father in Heaven."

"The opportunity to world wide call upon our Heavenly Father for his help to strengthen us spiritually, protect us physically and bless all his children with comfort and peace in this world wide time of need. I am humbled to be part of such a great out pouring from earth to our Father."

"Unity in faith and with fasting a spiritual strength that will let Heavenly Father know we love Him and the Savior and mankind."

"It's giving me more empathy for those suffering. When I feel a pang of hunger or thirst, I think of how much more uncomfortable those people must be. I love being able to sacrifice a little of my comfort to remember the well-being of others."

"Not only do we plead for the help from God, but we join together globally as humankind in solidarity."

"It helps me remember that we are all together, all in this together. Instead of feeling separated or distanced by social distancing or stories of hoarding or price gouging that make you feel alone or you against the world. This brings unity and a sense of togetherness."

"I love knowing that I am participating alongside so many of my brothers and sisters worldwide. There are not many times when that kind of unity can occur. Knowing that my Father in Heaven is hearing this plea from so many of His children is truly stunning and incredible. I think it is amazing when people can focus on being children of God and remember that we are all His children and that He loves each and every one of us."

"It means we are all united together in hope and in prayer; across faiths and across the world."

"I'm not able to fast but we prayed this morning and that felt powerful! Surely the loving Father in Heaven will hear the pleas from His children around the world and bless us!"

"Para mí orar por amigos y familiares y desconocidos que no son de mi fe, significa amar a mi prójimo como a mi misma. La unidad y el amor por Dios y nuestro prójimo es la mejor medicina para esta pandemia."

"I have been humbled and reminded of all my blessings, despite the fear and uncertainty in the world today. I don't think I have ever felt so keenly how closely connected the world is. It was an sacred priviledge to join in fasting and prayer with my fellow brothers and sisters of all races, religions, creeds, and nations. May God bless us, everyone."

Help others

"its my way to help out"

"as a nurse in a hospital here in slc, I am thrilled to able to be part of the global fast."

"I want to make a sacrifice today, for God and the the people suffering from this pandemic. I've been praying a lot for the people suffering from COVID-19, and I feel glad that through fasting, I can take action now too."

"Just an individual prayer for the people of the world is a simple task we can all participate in."

Hope

"It means hope. What an amazing opportunity to come together as a WORLD and be united in something that gives hope to so many people."

"hopeful and unified as a world"

"Hope and expectation"

"Hope, Inclusion, Joy"

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