Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fasting
Jacques Hadler March 16, 2016
What is Fasting?
To ‘fast’ is to abstain from something – usually food and/or drink – for a
period of time. For centuries, people of all religions have fasted for
spiritual reasons. Christians have developed particular ways of fasting,
and there are certain days and seasons when it is appropriate to fast. In
addition, there are particular Christian purposes for fasting.
This idea of emptying has become, for me, a central part of fasting. We
might recall Philippians 2:7, Jesus “emptied himself” (NRSV, ESV) in his
incarnation. So it is with fasting: I empty myself of something, in order
to be receptive of something else. When I fast I find myself receptive to
a closer relationship with God; open to being filled with the Holy Spirit.
How to Fast
Identify a Purpose:
The first step for any fast is discerning your reason/purpose for fasting.
Are you fasting to empty yourself? To strengthen your relationship with
God? Are you fasting to be in solidarity with the poor? Or for a holy
day such as Ash Wednesday or Good Friday? Clarifying the purpose of
your fast is critical. It creates a frame for your experience.
In Holy Week, some fast from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. But as a
starting point, I suggest you begin a fast on Maundy Thursday
evening, and continue through Good Friday. You might break your fast
with light food at 3 p.m. on Good Friday – the time Jesus breathed his
last on the cross.
Consider Liquids:
For most fasts, it is advisable to consume some liquids. Water, of
course. For a longer fast, some juice (no added sugar, and heavily
diluted with water). Vegetable broth or herbal tea are other options,
again without sugar and diluted with water. One should not drink
caffeine or alcohol while fasting. However, if you anticipate a caffeine
headache, you may wish to drink a very small amount of coffee or tea.
Remember that a fast is not meant to be debilitating or self abuse.
Exercise:
I recommend continuing whatever normal exercise routine you already
do. I once had a student who taught aerobics classes, and she
wondered if she should cancel classes during her fast. I suggested that
she keep her schedule, and it turned out that she was able to complete
all her classes. Again, fasting involves dependence on God; God will
provide the energy and strength you need.
Without intention, one can fall into the temptation of sitting around
feeling bad for oneself. One might think, “If I am fasting, I am supposed
to feel bad.” But no – feeling bad is not the purpose of fasting; that’s
just a side effect that happens as your body gets used to it. The main
purpose of fasting involves the question: “What I am desiring to be
filled with?”