A practical Lent fasting guide

Lent fasting is a spiritual practice that many Christians take part in. It might mean giving up certain foods, meals or habits to grow closer in your relationship with God. The idea is to simplify life, make more space for prayer and reconnect with God. 

Fasting is a practice that spans both the Old and New Testament, and has many different purposes in different contexts. While many people associate Lent with fasting, it’s used more generally in the Bible as an act of devotion, repentance, seeking guidance and spiritual discipline.

• Repentance — In Jonah 3:5–10, the people of Nineveh fasted as a response to Jonah’s warning, showing their desire to turn away from their sins.

• Guidance — In 2 Chronicles 20:2–4, King Jehoshaphat called a national fast for guidance in the face of war. Similarly, in Esther 4:15–17, it shows fasting for protection before she approached the king.

• Spiritual discipline — Fasting is seen as a way to draw closer to God, shown in Nehemiah 1:4 where Nehemiah fasts and prays when he hears about Jerusalem’s broken walls.

• Commissioning leaders — Fasting also played a role in making decisions. We see in Acts 14:23 how church leaders fasted and prayed before they appointed their elders.

Lent reminds Christians of the 40 days before Jesus’ death, which he spent in the desert. During this time, Jesus went without food and looked to God to sustain him. Many Christians fast during Lent to remind them of how to look to God for support and practice self-discipline. 

You can find this in the Bible in Matthew 4:1–11:

‘Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ​“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, ​“It is written: ​‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

The number 40 is about testing, wilderness, purification and preparation. So, the role of fasting in Lent is the surrender and dependence on God in purification and preparation for the resurrection.

You might be wondering if you have to fast for Lent. Church of England say:

This means that it’s completely up to you to decide if Lent fasting is the right option for you. Fasting is generally practiced across a broad spectrum of the Church.

For some, fasting for a long period of time can be a daunting idea, and might not work with your lifestyle, health, or personal values. If you’re unsure whether fasting is right for you, ask your GP for more advice. You can also find some alternative Lent fasting ideas below. 

A partial fast could include giving up certain foods or habits, rather than taking part in a full fast. You could limit certain types of food as a spiritual practice, or simplify your diet to create more space to reflect on God. This is a good option if you’re wondering whether you can drink water during fasting or eat a particular meal. Do what works best for you. 

In Daniel 1:8–14, Daniel avoided rich and luxurious foods and only ate vegetables and drank water. A partial fast allows you to focus on simple, plant-based foods and remove certain foods from your diet.

Although you can give up certain things during Lent, you may also want to cut down or even give something new a go. It’s not about shaming yourself for doing particular things, but making choices that might help you use your time more wisely or honour God. 

When we turn our eyes to Jesus, the things in our life like stress, worry, loneliness, anxiety and other negative feelings can dim, and we can feel a greater sense of peace. As a Lent fasting idea, why not reflect on these lyrics below from the Christian song ​‘Turn your eyes’ below and ask God to be with you during each day of Lent?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

At CAP, we believe that prayer is powerful. It’s the foundation of everything that we do. As part of your Lent fasting, why not join us and pray? You can order your free prayer diary today to deepen your connection with God, bring comfort, and support our work to end UK poverty.