A Call to Fast & Pray
Jesus says, “WHEN you fast and when you pray,” not, “IF you fast,” and, “IF you pray." As a community with Jesus at the center, we want to challenge each other to commit to fasting and praying this Lent season, as is tradition. We recognize that fasting is one of the most abused of Jesus' practices and also the least engaged. So we have created a discernment guide for choosing how to fast, as well as a short word on what fasting is.
What is fasting?
As we starve the flesh we learn to notice and feed the spirit. The goal of fasting is feasting on the person and presence of Jesus. By choosing to fast from comforts such as: food, drinks, routines, and actions, we find that only God can feed the deeper hunger pains of the heart. In a culture of fast food, doom scrolling, and chaotic calendars, the body and its pleasures distract us from noticing the union we so desperately need deep within. By participating in a fast, we place ourselves in the way of God's grace, allowing us to find freedom from reliance on earthly things.
Discernment Guide for Fasting
Take some time to hold each of the following questions before God. Ask him to influence your thinking and feelings. Trust that as you sit with each question, God's Spirit is delighted to give guidance.
1) What comforts have I leaned on to attend to my emotional aches and pains?
2) What does my mind and body naturally want to use to find pleasure, and what environments or spaces tend to provoke my desire for pleasure?
3) What comforts or conveniences might I take for granted that if fasted from, would help produce for me a focus of gratitude and spiritual awareness? (Ex; self check out lines, texting, etc)
4) What is something that I love to do that I could replace with spending intentional time with Jesus instead?
Prayer for Lent
May this desert season of fasting and repentance reduce our body’s, mind’s and spirit’s need for control and become more dependent, aware and rooted in You. As we deny ourselves, replace the scarcity reality of the flesh with the reality of Kingdom abundance. May this period of intentional spiritual focus lead us into an overflow of love, generosity, clarity, and communion with You. Prepare our hearts for the resurrection of Easter. Amen
Reads: Brian Zhand’s Unvarnished Jesus: A Lenten Journey is a great resource to walk through lent that some of our leaders and groups will be going through.