The Jewish and Christian history of fasting is intimately tied to Scripture and the many examples throughout of characters and groups fasting for many different purposes. The main thread of fasting is to draw close to God, to experience God’s grace, and to align with God’s will. Moses, David, and Jesus are just a few of the many characters who fasted from food in order to draw close to God.

Fasting historically has been primarily from food, sometimes food and drink. Only in recent times have believers added fasting to things outside of food, such as from social media. That is not to say that we should not have times of abstaining from things like social media, but history is clear that fasting is about food, either abstaining from all food or groups of food, for a certain period of time.

Jewish tradition includes several fast days alongside their many feast days. It coincides with biblical events and allows them to remember the biblical story they have come to inherit. This includes fasts for the historical destruction of the temple and the Fast of Esther before Purim, among other fasts.

The Jews also participated in weekly fasts. They fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. Christians fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, to differentiate themselves from the Jews but also to remember weekly the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus.

Christians also adopted a fast before baptism, and the fasting season of Lent. Anytime these structures are put in place for the benefit of the participants, it can become grounds for abuse, which has happened in Christian history. Fasting, like Lent, has become controversial in the Christian sphere because of its tendency to become legalistic.

Though Protestants came up with many reasons to abandon fasting, there has been a renewed interest in the idea of fasting. In part, there is growing understanding that certain types of fasts can have health benefits for those who partake. For others, fasting gives them the sense that they are “doing something” for the faith.

Both of these conclusions, while understandable, are missing the larger picture of fasting. This is an opportunity to receive the love God has already given. This is not your effort earning the love of God.

So how have Christians traditionally fasted? It may not be in the way you think of it. On the Wednesday and Friday, the participants would finish their meal on Tuesday or Thursday evening and would not eat again until the following evening. This means abstaining during what we call breakfast and lunch.

These same rules applied for the season of Lent, daily eating one meal a day. In Lent, Sunday was a relief day, a mini-Easter. This is a feast day in the midst of fasting. So Lent was not a 40-day period of no food, but a time in which believers ate one meal in the evening and also abstained from meat and wine.

Over time, Christians have given up the discipline, first making fast days easier by allowing a second meal, and then giving up encouraging fasting altogether.

Historically, participants often spent their days with extra prayer. They also attended daily Mass, the daily gathering of believers for worship and encouragement.

We have arrived today, in Protestant circles, at a discipline of fasting that is much less organized. In hoping to avoid legalism, we seemingly have created a culture that craves comfort over a disciplined longing for God. The question we must ask ourselves is: if we have no desire or ability to control what we put into our mouths, do we have control over what we allow to fill our spiritual life?

Perhaps I judge out of my own weakness, but could we even dare replicate the Lenten fast today? Could the modern Christian go 40 days eating only dinner, and 46 days without animal products? Maybe we should not try to follow these rules, but I for one crave this type of devotion. I crave to hunger not for food but for God.

We are writing history as you read this. What will future generations think of our devotion, of our practices?

Thank you so much for your continued support in reading this newsletter. I feel the love!

I love writing and I want to write more. Currently, to run this blog it is actually costing me a considerable amount of money. If this newsletter has been helpful for you and you’d like to see it continue, I ask if you’d consider becoming a monthly contributor to supporting the cost of running this blog.

Any help you give will only increase my ability to produce better content and hopefully build a better community on this platform. Click the link below to check out the sponsor page.

Most of us don’t need a complicated routine. We just want to feel good, stay energized, and not think too hard about it.

AG1 Next Gen is a clinically studied daily health drink that supports gut health, helps fill common nutrient gaps, and supports steady energy. One scoop in cold water replaces a multivitamin, probiotics, and more, so your routine stays simple.

Start your mornings with AG1 and get 3 FREE AG1 Travel Packs, 3 FREE AGZ Travel Packs, and FREE Vitamin D3+K2 in your Welcome Kit with your first subscription.

Get started today

If you liked this post, or you feel like it would start a good conversation, please share this with your friends and ask them to subscribe.

It would help me a lot. Thanks for reading! 

New videos coming out weekly: https://youtube.com/@thejacobhayward?si=JHgwOjGP_-FwY3l0

Follow me on X for newest updates: https://x.com/thejacobhayward?s=21