| Fasting
is a practice that affects our entire being—heart, soul,
and mind. Like any spiritual discipline, it should be entered
into prayerfully. While there are no biblical laws regarding regular
fasting, Jesus seems to operate under the assumption that this
practice is a part of life; in Matthew 6:17 he says, “When
you fast” not “if.” The lack of guidance means,
however, that embarking on a fast can mean any number of things.
John Calvin points out that fasting is not simply a “restrained
and sparing use of food.” As a way of pointing toward a
life of “frugality and sobriety” one can alter the
times at which eating takes place, perhaps skipping or shortening
the length of a meal; finding simpler foods to eat; or addressing
the quantity of food. Such partial fasts can make fasting a lifetime,
everyday commitment, rather than a singular, occasional event.
Any prolonged fast must be taken with care, with a doctor’s
guidance, and adequate fluid consumption. Other tips on fasting
can be found in the resource Lord, Teach Us to Pray.
Some fasting possibilities:
- Fast only on certain days of the week.
- Fast only during daylight hours, as Muslims practice during
Ramadan.
- Give up one meal a day. Spend that time in prayer and donate
the money you would have spent for that meal to a hunger-related
cause.
- Consider a rolling fast in which members of your congregation
agree to fast on different days during the week. For example,
all members whose last names begin with letters A–D
fast on Monday, E–H fast on Tuesday, and so forth.
- For children and others who are not able to fast, estimate
the weight of the food you eat at each meal and set aside
a penny for every pound. Send a donation to a hunger-related
cause, and remember those in need during table grace when
you do eat.
But in addition to giving up something, Lent is also a time
of taking on a spiritual discipline. The fourth century Rule
of Saint Benedict counsels, “During this time of Lent
each one is to receive a book from the library, and is to read
the whole of it straight through” (chapter 48). Many take
on spiritual reading, individuals and families, and thanks to
Chris Moore-Keish, a Decatur, Georgia, pastor, the Office of
Spiritual Formation has free Lenten devotionals for both.
For families and children, the First Catechism will be available
for a daily schedule during Lent, offering a question and answer
format along with a daily prayer. Adults may find the daily
readings from the Shorter Catechism, along with the day’s
Scripture references and a prayer, more to their liking. Consider
making it a more worshipful time by opening with a verse from
a Lenten hymn or lighting a candle.
For dozens of other methods of prayer, for children and adults,
group study, or individual practice, see the Office of Spiritual
Formation’s latest resource, Lord, Teach Us to Pray.
To order call Presbyterian Distribution Services at (800)
524-2612 and ask for #70-440-04-001.
The cost is $12.50 plus shipping and handling. |
