Lent Week 2: Fasting for Heart Change
“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster.” Joel 2:12-13
Giving Something Up
As we move into the second week of Lent, I want to draw focus to probably the most famous aspect of Lent: fasting. Even people who don’t know much about Lent probably know that those who observe this season usually “give something up” for the duration of Lent. Or, perhaps you have heard a coworker mention that they don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. These are forms of one of the pillars of the Lenten season.
The Oxford dictionary defines fasting as “abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance”. However, many modern churches have expanded this definition to include abstaining from activities like social media or television rather than just food (especially when there are health concerns that prevent fasting food).
Deeply personal
I recommend praying and asking God to reveal what He would like you to give up during this season that leads to Easter. Fasting can be deeply personal and should be private.
Jesus gives us instructions on fasting in Matthew 6:16-18:
“Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
When we follow Jesus’ instructions, we don’t just put on the appearance of goodness, we transform our hearts.
“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster.” Joel 2:12-13
What to do instead
When we fast, we normally start to crave the thing we are giving up. Those cravings can remind us to connect to God in prayer. They are signals from our bodies to draw close to Him and His strength. They also provide an opportunity for us to practice denying our fleshly desires. Working out those spiritual muscles will help us resist temptation in the future too!
Denying Self
Denying what our flesh wants promotes heart change. Our heart change through self-denial draws us closer to God and what His heart wants. God’s will becomes more clear to us so we can follow it.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
Lent Week 2 Action Step:
Today, let’s pray about what we should abstain from during this Lenten season (if you have not already decided this). Then pray and make plans for what adjustments to make in your home or schedule to set yourself up for fasting success. For example, if you are fasting soda and sweets, but fill your fridge and pantry with them, you are setting yourself up to fail. Pray for God to reveal His will as we fast and pray during this season.
Share your thoughts in the comments on this post or under the Lent Week 2 post at www.facebook.com/devoinaction – we’d love to hear what you think and see pics of your Bible journaling!
Lent Week 2 Prayer:
Dear God, Lead us to the fasting that will draw our hearts closest to You. Help our cravings remind us to lean into You and seek Your will only. Lend us Your strength in this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you want to see other posts in this series, click here for the series overview page: https://www.devotioninaction.com/lent-journey-to-jesus/