Fasting by Pastor Adam Moline

Ash Wednesday is almost here, which begins the season of Lent.  As I talked about a couple of weeks ago, Lent is a good time of year to train our faith through fasting and bodily preparation.  In that vein, let me tell you a little bit about fasting. 

In Lent, we often “fast” by giving up an item or activity for the season.  We do this (hopefully) so that we are driven to focus on the mercy and grace shown through our Lord Jesus Christ.  And while giving up an activity (like watching TV) or food (like chocolate) is a good thing to consider during Lent, these things aren’t completely what fasting means.

Fasting, in its strictest definition, is not eating for a set amount of time.  By avoiding eating anything for that period, you are training your sinful flesh in living as a Christian.  When your stomach growls, you remember your Lord.  When you miss a meal, you pray for God’s strength to make it through the day.  It teaches you discipline on a simple thing, eating, so that you can also practice discipline on the harder things related to your faith.

Scripture speaks about fasting in many places.  We begin the Lenten season by hearing of our Lord Jesus Christ’s fasting for 40 days in the wilderness before being tempted.  In the book of Jonah, we see the people of Nineveh fast with sack cloth and ashes when they hear that their city will be overthrown.  In Acts 13, we see the disciples fasting and praying before sending Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey.  In all of these examples (and more), we see that fasting is a faithful Christian practice.

In several places, scripture assumes that we as Christians are fasting.  In Matthew 6, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “When you fast…”  Note that he didn’t say “if” but instead “when you fast…”  The assumption is that you will fast.  Jesus goes on to say that the fasting is for your spiritual edification, not for getting praise from those around you.  For that reason, the fasting Christian does not “look gloomy like the hypocrites” or disfigure their face so that others know they are fasting.  They do it secretly between themselves and God, in devotion and faith towards their Lord.

 So, as we come into the season of Lent, I would encourage you to consider picking a day and fasting.  Perhaps once a week, perhaps more (if you’ve done it before). Let your last meal be supper the night before, and don’t eat until sunset the next day, a 24-hour fast.  Spend extra time that day praying and reading the scriptures.  Discipline your body to focus on your Lord.

And to be sure, if you have a medical issue, please don’t cause long-term harm to your body.  Don’t fast if you have diabetes, for example.  But if you are physically able, consider taking up this Christian discipline this Lenten season, and if you have any additional questions, please ask one of the pastors.

In Christ,

Pastor Moline