What is this fasting thing all about?

I am looking forward to fasting during this 40 days prayer vigil and I want to reflect on the importance of fasting. Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food and drink for some time period in order to focus on spiritual growth through prayer. As we focus these 40 days of Lent on 40 Days For Life, those that participate are praying and fasting for a change of heart and for an end to abortion.

I believe fasting helps us to be more open to God’s will and guidance in our every day lives. We receive grace and strength from fasting and this helps us to grow in holiness, which enables us to bring more people to Christ. By seeking the Lord in this more intense way, we find it easier to hear God’s voice as we contemplate important decisions. Together this Lent, let us make fasting a gift we give back to God.

There has been a decline in the practice of fasting in recent decades, even though God’s people have been fasting for thousand of years and the bible documents the many positive results of fasting. Today’s society does not see much value in self-discipline or self-denial because we live in a culture of instant gratification.

However, through fasting and prayer, our physical hunger will uncover our underlying spiritual hunger. It is all about emptying ourselves so Jesus can fill us with His spiritual food. When done with the right disposition, fasting can help prepare us for the work God has in store for us – work that actually builds His kingdom here on earth. He wants us to work towards an end to all injustice especially the killing of His precious unborn children.

We cannot do it on our own- only God can deliver us from this evil. Only God can bring victory. As Jesus responded to his disciples when they asked why they couldn’t deliver out a certain evil spirit: He said “some can be delivered out only by prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29). We should consider this reality when we ask how and when this struggle against abortion will end here on earth.

Let us spend this Lenten season telling the Lord that we all want and need more of Him…. and less of us through fasting!

Joe Mennel