Lord Teach Us to Pray: Fast as Prayer
Fasting had a central role, a reminder that “One does not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4).
The season of Lent began as a time of preparation in the Christian faith. It is commonly associated with “giving up,” in the same way that Jesus did in his forty days in the wilderness. Fasting had a central role, a reminder that “One does not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4).
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:
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- 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, available at www.pcusa.org/spiritualformation.
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.
