The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

"One does not live by bred alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Deuteronomy 7:3

Forms of Fasting:

• Abstaining from constant media stimulation;
• Abstaining from buying anything new in this season; Choosing natural sounds or silence instead of noise or music; 
• Abstaining from over packaged, over processed foods; abstaining from compulsive dieting; trimming and creating margins in an over packed schedule.

“The purpose of abstinence is to learn rightly to enjoy God’s gifts, when what we consume is consuming us, what we possess is possessing us. Abstinence gives up/gives over anything that comes between ourselves and God.” W.R. Inge, “Goodness and Truth”

“Behind every fitting choice of abstinence lies the question: What do I do in excess? What attachments, compulsions control me? Marjorie Thompson, Soul Feast

Full Fasting: (abstaining from all foods, solids, or liquids (except water))
Partial Fasting: (restricting through diet but not total abstention)
Gradual Fasting: (weekly adding a new dietary restrictions as time goes on, adding more [i.e. sugars, fats, carbs....])

Health Note:
Do not fast if you are sick, traveling, under unusual stress, going through a significant change, or have some other health conditions where fasting would be dangerous.
If you are experiencing a physical condition or are on certain medications, it is essential to ask your doctor before starting any fast.

Once you start a fast, reduce normal activity, otherwise this will negatively impact your health and wellbeing.

Beginners Note:

• Start with a partial fast if you never have done one before. Total fasts can be unhelpful or unhealthy if it’s your first time.
• Give your body several weeks to adjust as you make changes to fasting. For example coming off a fast, changing the type of fast, etc...
• No matter which fast you do, drink plenty of water. NEVER FAST WATER!

“For my part, I think it better that one should eat everyday, but only a little, so as not to be satisfied.” Sayings from the Desert Fatherst