Fasting and Other Lenten Practices
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts...
(the Collect for Ash Wednesday, The Book of Common Prayer)
(the Collect for Ash Wednesday, The Book of Common Prayer)
An Introduction to the Practices of Lent
The Season of Lent is the forty-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter (Sundays are excepted). Lent was historically a period of preparation for “catechumens,” those persons seeking induction into the life of the church and who would be baptized at the Easter vigil. Quite soon, however, it became and it continues to be a time of self-examination, penitence, reflection, and special devotion. It is a time set aside for all Christians to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.
You might hear someone in church talk about giving something up or taking on an activity that isn't part of their normal routine. Why give something up? Why do something one wouldn't normally do? Ideally, these are tangible, practical means for preparing our hearts for the great feast of Easter. We give up something important to us, or something we've come to depend on, in order to concentrate our dependance on Christ. We start to do something we wouldn't usually do, or isn't part of our normal routine, in order to shift our loves and affections a little closer to things Jesus loves.
The first mass of Lent takes place on Ash Wednesday. The beginning of the service include an address from the priest to her or his people that sets the stage for Lent, and then invites the people to a "holy Lent."
You might hear someone in church talk about giving something up or taking on an activity that isn't part of their normal routine. Why give something up? Why do something one wouldn't normally do? Ideally, these are tangible, practical means for preparing our hearts for the great feast of Easter. We give up something important to us, or something we've come to depend on, in order to concentrate our dependance on Christ. We start to do something we wouldn't usually do, or isn't part of our normal routine, in order to shift our loves and affections a little closer to things Jesus loves.
The first mass of Lent takes place on Ash Wednesday. The beginning of the service include an address from the priest to her or his people that sets the stage for Lent, and then invites the people to a "holy Lent."
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.
What does this mean, a "holy" Lent? The invitation spells it out rather nicely: self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, reading and meditating on Scripture. We come along side God, and all the ways that God is always trying to reach us, through:
Resources for Fasting and other Lenten practices are widely available. This year, we're turning our attention to the practice of waiting for God in prayer, the theme of our Lenten study book, Tarry Awhile. But that should deter you from fasting and repentance. If you've never tried fasting before, I invite you to consider doing so this year. Fasting doesn't have to mean giving up eating. It usually just means abstaining for a time from certain foods, such as abstaining from meat, either for the weekdays and Saturdays of Lent, or perhaps just on Fridays. It could mean abstaining from alcohol for the period of Lent. Usually, Christians who fast for Lent will observe Sundays as a feast day and enjoy a break from their fast.
Whatever you do, remember that all Lenten practices are not meant to be punitive, but to draw you closer to God and God's heart. That's all that really matters, anyway.
- examining on consciences and ways of living
- repenting of sins that we've been clinging to
- fasting or giving up food, drink, objects or activities that we've become too dependent on
- and reorienting and renewing our mind by connecting with God's holy Word.
Resources for Fasting and other Lenten practices are widely available. This year, we're turning our attention to the practice of waiting for God in prayer, the theme of our Lenten study book, Tarry Awhile. But that should deter you from fasting and repentance. If you've never tried fasting before, I invite you to consider doing so this year. Fasting doesn't have to mean giving up eating. It usually just means abstaining for a time from certain foods, such as abstaining from meat, either for the weekdays and Saturdays of Lent, or perhaps just on Fridays. It could mean abstaining from alcohol for the period of Lent. Usually, Christians who fast for Lent will observe Sundays as a feast day and enjoy a break from their fast.
Whatever you do, remember that all Lenten practices are not meant to be punitive, but to draw you closer to God and God's heart. That's all that really matters, anyway.