Lenten Fasting

Christians throughout the ages have fasted during Lent. Often this fast was from food or certain types of food, such as meat. More contemporary expressions of Lenten fasts have included media, television, or social media, as well as food or drink, such as chocolate, coffee, sugar, or sodas.

The purpose of giving something up for Lent is not to cause us suffering for suffering’s sake, but for our own sake — to remind us that we often drift from God by surrounding ourselves with things that crowd God out. So you fast from something that you will long for during the Lenten season and at each moment where you experience desire for that thing, that food, or that drink, it will prompt you to press into a positive spiritual practice: to pray, remember, and rely on the Lord’s provision in your life.

You may also consider, as a corresponding practice, what you will take on during Lent, what will fill the space you have created with your fast. Prayer is a natural and easily accessible response, but there are others too.

Although we aren’t prescribing what you should fast from during Lent, we would strongly encourage everyone to fast from something, and to share that thing from which you are fasting with your small group or with someone who can pray for you as you fast.