Fridays, Fasting, and What's Truly Important
- Lauren
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
- Matthew 6:17-18
Lent is here. Many Christian traditions observe Lent, including my own, the Catholic faith. If you are among those who do not observe Lent, I still invite you to continue reading. What is Lent really about? What’s the big deal with Fridays and fasting? Is any of this really important?
In my own faith tradition, Lent is a time of deep self reflection, prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Lent invites the person to reflect on the state of their spiritual life and to spend more time in prayer. It is also a time to give alms to both those we love and those in need. The Catholic Church also requires and invites those in good health and of a certain age to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and from meat on all Fridays of Lent.1 A couple of great resources for learning more about the guidelines for fasting are linked down below in the footnotes.
However, fasting is not just about food. I believe fasting can be even more powerful when we fast from the things that distract us the most from God. Furthermore, there are some individuals who cannot fast from food during Lent. The Catholic Church highlights that pregnant and breastfeeding women, those who have health conditions, children, and adults over age 59 are excused from fasting.2
I believe fasting can be very powerful when we choose to give up or limit the things that distract us from God. When we fast from something, we should consider how we can invite God into the space that the thing we are fasting from once took up in our lives. Fasting is meant to deny ourselves and turn our attention to God. Here are some examples of what these fasts could be:
- limiting time or completely fasting from social media
- giving up watching tv
- fasting from negative thoughts
- fasting from hitting the snooze button
- give up listening to the radio/music/podcasts on the way to work: be in silence.
- fasting from non-Christian books and music
- fasting from criticism
What is truly important this Lenten season is that we seek to draw closer to God, and allow Him to purify the areas in our hearts that have grown dark, distracted and distant. Fasting looks different for each individual. We each have unique souls that need help in different ways. In other words, Lent is very important, but it is best not to compare one person’s Lenten experience to another’s. We are each unique and beautiful in the eyes of the Lord. We each have different needs.
Allow the Lord to purify you this Lenten season. Whether you observe Lent or not in your faith, challenge yourself to give up or limit the things in your life that are distracting you from God. Give alms to those who are in need. Take some time to reflect on the state of your spiritual life. The Lord is waiting for you.
In Christ,
Lauren
Footnotes:
1 Stephen Spiewak, “Lent Fasting Rules: Catholic Rules for Fasting During Lent,” Hallow, 2025, https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/
2 USCCB, “Lenten Fasting & Abstinence,” USCCB, 2021, https://www.usccb.org/resources/Fasting-Lent-Info.pdf
All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible
Did you like this reflection? Feel free to share it with a friend! Use the social media buttons down below to share this reflection. Have any thoughts you'd like to share? Or prayer requests? Use the contact box below and drop me a line!
