Posted March 23, 2025

The Christian season of Lent means many things to many people. Lent is most commonly looked on as a pre-celebration commitment to “fast” during the 40 day period leading to Easter. Fasting is laying aside something you enjoy, something that is very dear to you or even vital for you. The origins of Lent are rooted in Christians letting go of or abstaining from certain foods or luxuries as a type of self-sacrifice, self-discipline and “oneness” with the sufferings of Christ. One common thought associated with Lent is anticipating and planning what you will “give up” for 40 days. 

The intention is to “journey” briefly in what Christ faced: wrestling with the temptation to “give in” to physical and emotional yearnings, first in the wilderness when confronted by Satan, and later at Calvary, choosing to be obedient to the Father’s will, even His own death. (https://www.christianity.com). Fasting is about more than just denying yourself – it is also about pursuing God and God’s heart, to achieve a greater spiritual goal. A recent teaching to Change Church Global congregation, “The Fasting Factor”, discusses a dilemma that the disciples, who were closest to Jesus, find themselves in. The disciples frequently asked Jesus to teach them His way, or asked Jesus why they could not get the same results He did as they went out, even when they imitated what He did. In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus finds His disciples surrounded by a large crowd and being challenged by the scribes because they are not able to cast out a demon that has tormented a young boy for years. Jesus calls the demon out of the boy, and the disciples ask, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus answers them, “There is Nothing that will move this kind but prayer AND fasting.” Let’s look closer at the definitions of fasting presented above and compare with three classifications of Fasting that are reviewed in this teaching.  

#1. “Culture’s Way” of fasting sees fasting as a tool for self-discipline rather than spiritual devotion. Here, fasting turns away from food, but does not necessarily turn toward the Father. “Culture’s Way” is self-centered, self-focused, and may produce physical results (i.e. weight loss) but no spiritual transformation.

#2. “Church’s Way” of fasting is a seasonal obligation, a spiritual necessity, acknowledging faith in a godly routine but not in a Holy God. “Church’s Way” is a religious tradition that creates “pressure to starve” but not “passion to seek” a greater revelation of God. It may make you proud that you did it, however turning your obedience to God into a source of pride doesn’t please God. While listening to this teaching, I was introduced to Isaiah 58, a short but Powerful “scolding” to those who fast the “Church’s Way”. I recommend everyone read all 14 verses. Briefly, beginning in verse 3, God told the people, “On the day of your fasting, you are doing the same thing you were doing before, doing as you please…. you cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high….Listen to me! Yes! You fast, but you do it to please yourselves. At the same time as you are fasting, you are being cruel to the people who work for you. Yes! While you are fasting, you are also quarrelling and you are fighting..... Instead, share your food with hungry people. Give a place in your home to poor people who have no home. Give clothes to people who have nothing to wear. If people in your own family need help, do not refuse to help them.....And the Lord will use his great power to keep you safe. Then you will ask the Lord for help and he will answer you...”(Easy Bible Translation)

#3 – Fasting the “King’s Way” is not simply a time for skipping meals but a time for seeking the Lord. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”. The “King’s Way” of fasting is not just a time for removing “things” but also a time for removing distractions and setting boundaries. Fasting the “King’s Way” will result in a divine acceleration of clarity, tuning out other voices, bringing God near, reminding you that God is with you. Seeking God "on purpose" is the center of fasting the "King's Way". As Jesus answers the disciples in the verses from Mark 9, His intention is to let them know they must depend on God’s Spirit and not their spiritual routines. They would not always conquer adversity the "old" way, counting on "business as usual". God determines how and when he moves. Jesus teaches the disciples that fasting is the One thing that can change everything! Some things come by prayer, some things come by fasting.

Every sacrifice during Lent should always lead us toward gratitude for the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus that has given us access to a Holy God, our help, our hope, our source.