Plan Your Fast
How to Practice Lent in 2026
I admire the Muslims when it comes to fasting. Ramadan is so very clear. Fast from sunup to sundown. Hard but simple. Christians on the other hand are all over the place. Sure, we have a season of fasting just like they do and this year it’s about the same time. In the season of Lent, we remember how Jesus wandered into the desert for forty days to refuse temptation. As a human being, Jesus knew that the tempter was coming and the best way to deal with the darkness that challenges every human is to face it in the light. Running doesn’t work. Denial doesn’t work. We must look at that which tempts us, see it for what it is and simply say no. Jesus did this before doing anything else, for he was also God and he knew we needed a role model to follow.
But instead of making things simple, like just not eating from sun up to sun down, followers of Jesus leave it up to each individual to create their own unique fast. And that is a lot to ask. Here are some guiding thoughts as you discern your own unique fast for Lent…
Ask yourself what tempts you…
Media? Could you create a media diet that doesn’t drive you to despair but keeps you informed?
Plastic? It hurts our planet. Could you diet from plastic bags, straws etc?
Food? Are you tempted by food? Can you eat healthier or even refrain a bit? (do not do this if you have any kind of eating disorder-in that case, your challenge may be to eat healthy foods, for fasting is NEVER about how the body looks. If it is not a spiritual practice, don’t do it!)
Isolation? These days its easy to hide. Can you get out and find people?
Alcohol? Smoking? It’s a good time to give up stuff that hurts you.
Fear/Hatred? Another great temptation is fear and animosity. Could you find someone who disagrees with you on every political subject and find a way to love them (you don’t have to like them, that’s not what Jesus said.)
Others may find that taking on something is more meaningful than giving something up…
Groceries. Our congregation has a simple practice. Many of us pick up one extra bag of groceries at the grocery store for the food bank near us. Could you make this a practice?
Silence. How about silence? Could you sit in silence for 5 minutes a day? 10? More?
Exercise. Moving your body while praying is also a wonderful discipline: walking and opening your eyes to the works of God in the natural world.
Kindness. Feeding a friend, writing a card a day, calling someone who is loney…
Jesus spent time with his own thoughts.And it was from this place of quiet that he began his ministry for if we don’t know how we are tempted, we will never be able to help others.Lent provides a great opportunity for you to find yourself, listen to your broken self, and love yourself enough to say no to the darkness