Skip to Main Content

Prayer and Fasting - Discipleship Task Force Lent 2023

Posted: February 13 2023 at 09:58 PM
Author: Karen Bonnell, Discipleship Task Force


Prayer and Fasting - Discipleship Task Force Lent 2023

Olivia Snow Cppftchy6mo Unsplash

The Discipleship Task Force invites you to pray and fast with them on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and Good Friday, April 7, 2023.  Lent is a wonderful time to practice this means of grace.  It is a way of humbling ourselves before God.  Fasting helps us hunger for God.

John Wesley points out that fasting is to center on God.  As he wrote, “First, let it [fasting]be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him.  Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven…” (Sermons on Several Occasions).  John Wesley practiced the discipline of  fasting 2 days a week. 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus didn’t say, “If you fast…” 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…”   (Matthew 6:17, 18)

Fasting reveals things that control us.  In fasting we realize that we are sustained “by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4. To Jesus, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” John 4:32,34.  We in America think we are starving if we miss a meal, when actually a person can go several days without food.  It is vital to keep drinking water, however.  We will learn more about fasting this fall when our NIC Book club studies Bishop Ken Carder’s Living our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way.

If it is medically not advised to abstain from food, as for diabetics and pregnant mothers, one can do a partial fast.  Consider eating only vegan (plant based) foods.  John Wesley’s fast began after the evening meal and ended at “tea time” the next day.  Some wait until the evening meal and others go without a full day’s 3 meals.  The key is that you center on God and pray.

Here is a prayer that you may begin and end the fast:

“Lord, Jesus Christ, I offer you this fast for your glory and my good.  All I am and all I have I offer to you for your purposes in the world and my progress in your grace. Amen.” (from Seedbed)

May grace abound in you during the time of prayer and fasting.

News & Announcements

Janeeesleyjuly2025

Chicago Muslims and United Methodists Call for Justice in Gaza

The Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago spoke at a July 30 press…

Genevatricitiesfamily Services

Geneva UMC’s Rummage/Bake Sale Serves Creation and Community

The United Methodist Church of Geneva’s rummage sale not only raises funds but supports creation care. The church directs the proceeds to charities and finds new u…

Empathy Hands Image

From our Bishop: Love Each Other Like Members of Your Family

Bishop Schwerin calls on United Methodists to reclaim the deep Christian call to love our neighbors—especially those who are suffering. He urges faithful action—thr…

Uvc Awards Group 1

Nominations open for 2025 UVC Annual Child Advocate Awards

United Voices for Children (UVC) is inviting nominations for its three annual awards. These UVC Awards honor extraordinary volunteer service or advocacy efforts on beh…

Print