Purposeful Fasting

In preparation for Easter, some choose to participate in the discipline of fasting during this season of Lent.  Lent is defined as the period of 40 weekdays before Easter observed in some Christian churches as a period of prayer, penance, fasting, and self-denial.  This period, starting on Ash Wednesday in Western churches, commemorates the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness.  How appropriate that Lent began on Valentine’s Day, a wonderful reminder of God’s perfect gift of love in his Son Jesus.

During Lent, people tend to give up a favorite food or beverage, social media, or a certain activity or pleasure for a season.  Hopefully one uses the time of fasting to pause and remember the reason and purpose for fasting and willingly replace that time with prayers of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, kind deeds, or other productive and beneficial activities.  

Recently, Pope Francis offered a thought provoking list of suggestions to consider fasting from for Lent.  These choices of fasting would make an impact on the participant as well as others.

With God’s help, what a difference it would make in our world if, rather than just for a season, these suggestions were taken to heart and purposefully fasted from for a lifetime.

Sunday night, Keith Riley reminded us that “In fasting we do not deprive ourselves.”  Instead, “We are reminded of what truly sustains us.”

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:5, 8, 12

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and thee evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:21

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8