The Power of Lent
In the Christian faith, Lent is observed during the 40 days leading up to Easter. This time is meant to reflect the 40 days Jesus went to the desert and fasted. As well as the 40 years the Jews spent in the desert.
Traditionally, Catholics observe this holiday by fasting from meat as well as abstaining from things like alcohol, sugar or items of one’s choice. I’ve seen Protestants observe this holiday by withholding alcohol, cussing, sweets, social media etc.
This is done by both Catholics and Protestants in order to enter a mindset of repentance and gratitude for what we will celebrate Jesus doing for us on the cross on Easter.
The Power of Fasting
Fasting for me was something I avoided for a long time. I had lots of excuses- the main one was that I was pre diabetic for years so the low blood sugar issues made it hard for me to fast and function. Then, when I had kids- I gave up trying.
It wasn’t until I started on my research on prayer and kept seeing an overlap with fasting and prayer which is when my interest really peaked.
Why fast?
What is the benefit?
Is it just a way we suffer to prove to others how holy we are?
That is what I thought- fasting was up there with being a missionary living in a hut in Africa- it sounded uncomfortable and for the spiritual elite. Does living for God mean I have to purge myself of all comforts?
My study and eventual practice opened my eyes to the beauty of fasting. It wasn’t about being uncomfortable or looking pias- IT WAS ABOUT MY HEART!
To be completely honest- I discussed my findings with my husband. He tried it out first. My husband decided to start fasting once a week and it was crazy the impact it had on our house. On days he would fast, the kids would be calmer, I would be more joyful, I would get revelation and be able to write and work more freely. I was in shock- what was happening and why?
As tempting as it was to let my husband continue to do that work for our family, I have since tried to bring fasting into my rhythm and yes- the benefits are the same! I would encourage you to do your own research on fasting but for us there was a tangible undeniable benefit.
For me, the main point I always go back to is that fasting causes a desperation and earnestness that drives us into prayer in a deeper way. I talk about in my book “What if We Pray” how desperation led me to a big revelation in my prayer life - the circumstances of desperation fostered 3 things for me that fasting also fosters:
Humility (I can’t and I need help)
Expectation (God can and will)
Hope (when you are at the bottom in need, there is only one direction to go)
As a spiritual discipline, fasting allows for a physical experience to remember and understand our spiritual condition. We are in need of a savior, sometimes we forget because we can do a lot ourselves but in the end we can’t save ourselves.
This rhythm of practicing lent annually challenges you to bring fasting into your yearly practices. Just like with other christian practices in scripture (like prayer), we should look at this as an invitation from a loving father not a demand of an angry dictator. God is inviting you into a deeper, more robust relationship with him when he tells us to fast!
The Power of Remembrance
The Bible tells us to remember around 350 times. Biblically, remembering is often linked to some sort of action. When we remember something God has done for us, it helps us act in accordance with the truth that memory brings. When I remember when God saved me, I am reminding myself that he is good and I can trust him which helps me to fight against anxiety in stressful situations.
In Exodus, there is an epic story about the Israelites forgetting how God had delivered from slavery in Egypt. I remember learning the story as a child and being in Awe of the power God showed by saving Moses in a basket in the Nile, speaking to him through a burning bush and then sending the plagues in Egypt to convince the Pharaoh to set the Israelites free. As an audience member it was easy to judge the Israelites, who soon after crossing the Red Sea on dry land into freedom, complained about their lack of food and said “remember how much food we had in Egypt.”
Even my 10 year old self cried out in judgement “you are thinking about the food- you were a slave!” Their complaining wasn’t lost on God either- their punishment for all their complaining landed them wandering the desert for 40 years where time and time again they forgot about the awesome power God showed and the promises he made.
Deuteronomy 5:15
“And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm.”
So, what does this have to do with Lent?
Lent is an opportunity- much like with fasting- to take time to reflect and remember not only that God is powerful like he was in Egypt but that he delivered you. You were a slave to sin and when Jesus died on the cross. He paid the price so that you could be set free! FREE FROM SLAVERY IN SIN!
So, even if you haven’t committed time to fast the whole 40 days. Talk to God and think through a way to fast and let your flesh be desperate for him. Also, remember to think about your own salvation story and the big things God has done in your life and thank him!
My Prayer:
Thank you God that my parents took me to church, thank you that you saved me at a young age. Thank you for saving me from postpartum depression. Thank you that you’ve given me a spouse and friends that encourage and challenge me. AMEN.
