Lent Fasting

Fasting During the Season of Lent: Practices and Purpose

What Is Lent?

Lent marks a significant period in the church calendar, beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb.18th) and concluding on Easter Sunday (April 5th). During this season, followers of Jesus are encouraged to reflect on repentance and remembrance of Jesus’s sacrifice. Common practices during Lent include fasting and giving to the poor, serving as tangible ways to focus on spiritual growth and generosity.

Understanding Fasting

Fasting is a spiritual discipline involving self-denial, typically by abstaining from food. The hunger experienced during fasting serves as a prompt to pray, shifting focus from physical needs to spiritual connection. Some believers may choose to fast from digital devices, using the time and attention gained as an opportunity for prayer and reflection.

Why Fast During Lent?

While fasting is encouraged throughout the year, it holds particular significance during Lent. Christians around the world join in this discipline, fostering a sense of unity and shared commitment to spiritual growth.

Why Fast As a Practice?

Jesus assumes his followers will fast, as stated in the Sermon on the Mount (“And when you fast…”—Matthew 6:16-18). Fasting from food teaches self-control and reliance on Jesus. Over time, practicing self-control in fasting can help strengthen discipline in other areas of life, similar to building muscle through exercise.

Giving Alms

In addition to fasting, giving alms during Lent encourages believers to look outward and care for those in need. This practice is inspired by Isaiah 58:7-8, which calls for sharing with the hungry and providing for those lacking, with the assurance of God’s blessing. Supporting ministry partners such as Hope Horizon and Street Life Ministry is one way to practice this generosity.

How to Fast

There are two main ways to observe fasting during Lent: a Food Fast and a Digital Fast. You may choose one or both approaches based on your circumstances.  We believe that fasting is an invitation into a deeper encounter with Jesus so we encourage you to make your decision prayerfully.  Fasting is uncomfortable!  Be aware that you may be tempted to substitute something you give up to remain dependent on comfort instead of God.

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Food Fast Overview

What Is Fasting from Food?

Fasting from food involves skipping meals for a designated time to deepen intimacy with God. This practice integrates spirituality with physical experience through prayer, with a typical fast lasting from sunrise to sundown. 

How to Fast

Reminder: Traditionally, Sundays don’t count as fast days. Sundays on the church calendar are considered “feast days,” which means one does not fast. The entire lent season is 46 days. With 6 Sundays of “feast days” it allows one to fast for 40 days (symbolic of Jesus’ 40 day fast).

Three suggested fasting options are:

1. Option one: Every Wednesday or Friday, fast from lunch. Take that time that you would have a meal to pray. You can choose to pray by yourself or with a few others. 

2. Option two: Every Wednesday and/or Friday, fast for lunch or for 24 hours. The day of the week does not matter but just a suggested day for you to consider. If you choose to do the 24 hour fast, the way it has been done in the past was to eat dinner on Tuesday night then break fast on Wednesday evening. Take that time that you would have a meal to pray. You can choose to pray by yourself or with a few others. 

3. Option three: During the lent season, fast every lunch. A lent fast begins on Ash Wednesday and ends after Good Friday where the fast breaks on that evening. Traditionally, Sundays don’t count as fast days. Sundays on the church calendar are considered “feast days,” which means one does not fast. The entire lent season is 46 days. With 6 Sundays of “feast days” it allows one to fast for 40 days (symbolic of Jesus’ 40 day fast). 

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Pray

No matter what fasting option you choose, begin each fasting period with this prayer:

“Thank you, Creator God. May my hunger remind me that I physically and spiritually depend on you and exist for intimacy with you.”

No matter what fasting option you choose, begin each fasting period with this prayer:

“Thank you, Creator God. May my hunger remind me that I physically and spiritually depend on you and exist for intimacy with you.”

How to Prepare

• Connect with others who are fasting and set up regular check-ins throughout the month, including thoughtful questions for discussion.

• Reflect on what you hope to learn about yourself and God during the forty days of Lent.

• Plan your daily activities with the understanding that your energy levels may be lower than usual.

• Do not worry if you forget or are unable to fast on some days; missing a day is not cause for concern.

• Avoid eating large breakfasts to compensate for fasting, as this may not be beneficial for your body.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day

• If you are struggling with an eating disorder, you may find fasting to be triggering. Please use discernment and make healthy choices.

Resources for Food Fasting

• Reward Sibanda: How to Fast: Rediscover the Ancient Practice for Unlocking Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal

Digital Fast Overview

The Digital Fast is designed to minimize digital distractions and promote deeper spiritual connection. By reducing device usage, participants can reset their nervous systems and become more mindful of technology’s influence.

Options for Digital Fasting

Option 1: Full Digital Fast

1. Eliminate screens for personal enjoyment and use devices only as tools for utility.

2. Stay off social media, shopping apps, and other digital entertainment.

3. Audit smartphone apps, removing those that are distracting. Ask: “Is this distracting or is this useful?”

4. Examples of distracting apps include email, social media, news, games, video, shopping, and browsers. Useful apps might include phone, text, calendar, airline apps, camera, and weather.

5. Eliminate screens for entertainment, including gaming devices and streaming services.

6. Limit technology to work-related apps during work hours, and avoid work outside of those hours.

Option 2: Modified Digital Fast

1. Adjust fasting parameters as needed.

2. Audit and limit usage of distracting apps, choosing specific apps or days for abstaining.

3. Fast from digital entertainment, such as TV, for a set number of days per week.

4. Limit technology to work-related apps during work hours only.

Pray

No matter what fasting option you choose, begin each fasting period with this prayer:

“Thank you, Creator God. May my desires for screen use remind me that I physically and spiritually depend on you and exist for intimacy with you.”

Preparation Tips

• Find accountability partners and schedule regular check-ins.

• Reflect on what you want to learn about yourself and God during this fast.

• Switch your phone screen to greyscale and disable notifications.

• Use an alarm clock instead of your phone.

• Inform your workplace about your fasting intentions.

• Consider switching to a basic phone model, such as a Light Phone.

• Explore recommended resources for further guidance on fasting.

Resources for Digital Fasts

• Darren Whitehead, Digital Detox: The Digital Fast adapts concepts from this book, which offers further insights into digital fasting.

• Guide for Observing Lent: Additional information on the practices and significance of Lent.

• Fasting & Prayer Focus: Extra encouragement and prompts to guide your time during Lent.

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