FASTING GUIDE
LENT 2024
AT THE BROOK

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:16-18
Join us in this Lenten fast as we seek to deepen our connection with God. If you have any prayer requests during this time, we invite you to share them with us through this link:
PRAYER REQUESTS
Together, let's journey in faith and support one another through prayer.

OVERVIEW ON FASTING

“Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God. Christian fasting is not only the spontaneous effect of superior
satisfaction in God, it is also a chosen weapon against every
force in the world that would take that satisfaction away.”

John Piper - A Hunger for God

Throughout the Bible we find that when the followers of God fast, they do so to strengthen prayer, express repentance, return to God, and to seek deliverance. As we enter into this Lenten season, The Brook Family desires fast to deepen our relationship with God in a meaningful way.

Fasting is a deep and effective means for God to draw His people closer, removing the distractions that accompany
our relationship with the world, so that he can speak clearly to us.
 
Our goal for the this corporate fast is that God would help to clarify to you your role within The Brook. As each member is built up in Christ through an individual fast, so to the whole body of The Brook will be built up and equipped for our transition to our permanent home.

We humbly ask that you join us in our Lenten fast in whatever form God leads you.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP-Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

“Jesus takes it for granted that His disciples will observe the pious custom of fasting. Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian life. Such customs have only one purpose — to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.”
PRAYER REQUESTS

TYPES OF FASTS

In biblical times, the meaning of “fast” was to abstain, as a religious exercise, from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days. Today’s fasts, however have expanded to include abstaining from any number of things which might masquerade as having power to sustain us. The following are some forms of fasting that you might consider:
Food: A traditional fast means abstaining from food altogether. This can be done for a number of days in a row (Christ fasted in the desert for 40 days), on specific days of the week (It was customary for Jews during Christ’s time to fast two days a week), or even to fast for one meal a day over an extended period.  The key part of a food fast is to replace the meals that you would be eating with prayer and scripture.
Media/Social Media: In Fasting from Media/Social Media we turn off the TV, the music, the news, and all of our social media. We stop clicking, scrolling, liking, and posting. Each time you have the urge to reach for your phone to check your feed, reach for a bible instead. Read a verse of scripture, meditate on it, and then pray about it.
The Noise: “Befriend Silence.” Pastor and leader Rich Villodas challenged us with these words. We fear silence and we flood silent places with all sorts of sound, yet it is through stillness and silence we are often better positioned to listen (1Kings 19:9-13).
In fact, we are consistently confronted with a savior who periodically departed to a desolate place for solitude and silence as He spent time with God the Father. Throughout the course of the next month, look for ways to “fast” from noise and distractions and instead seek extended periods of silence where you can read and pray.
The Secular: Secular music, secular TV, secular social media – these all pump ideas, thoughts into us on a regular basis. A fast from the the secular allows us to step away from the world and only consume Christian messages for a time.  
Preoccupying Habits: A preoccupying habit is any activity that you constantly think about and generally prioritize above other important tasks or relationships. Examples could include things like playing video or computer games, engaging in busy-work, smoking/vaping, or frequenting clubs.  Like the Media/Social Media fast, the idea here is to abstain from these preoccupying habits, replacing the time you would be spending on these habits with reading the Bible and praying. 

CELEBRATION
OF DISCIPLINE-Richard Foster 

"Fasting reminds us that we are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Food does not sustain us; God sustains us. Therefore, in experiences of fasting we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God.”
PRAYER REQUESTS

Tips For Fasting

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
- Joel 2:12
This Isn’t About You. It’s About God.
  • Only tell a few people - In Mt 6, Jesus warns his disciples “anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret.” 
  • Read and Pray – Whenever you are supposed to be engaging in the activity that you are fasting from, be sure to read the chapter in Ephesians and pray. The goal is to substitute whatever you are fasting from with God. 
  • Disconnect from The World – While this is not a vacation, it’s important that you not substitute your “fast” with other worldly distractions or busy work. 

Keep A Daily Journal
  • Write Down Your Experiences At The End Of Each Day — This is important. It will allow you to look back on your fast to see how God worked on you, in you, and through you. Be sure to include the things you prayed about, the parts of scripture(s) that struck you, etc. Also include small details of daily interactions. 
Stay Focused.
  • Remind Yourself Of The Purpose – The purpose of this fast is to allow God to clarify how He wants your Christian walk to progress (maturation ‘til glorification), and the role He has set aside for you within the larger body. 
You're Not In This Alone.
  • Actively Engage With Partners - You are a member of a family called The Brook. We are part of a larger family called The Church. One of the ways you can get the most out of this fast is to share your experiences with others who are fasting. You can be an encouragement to them, and they can be an encouragement to you. 
Have A Plan. Have A Schedule.
  • Be Intentional - Set aside specific times each day to read scripture and pray. If you are doing a traditional fast (abstaining from food), use the time you would normally be eating for reading and prayer. If it’s something else, use that time. The idea is to replace whatever the thing you are fasting from with God. 
  • Form A Habit – Being in a relationship becomes easier when it becomes routine. If up until now, you don’t have a set time when you do things, now would be the time to start. Try to make your Bible reading and prayer time part of a daily routine (done at the same time – for the same amount of time every day) so that it can become habit. 

FASTING MEDITATIONS

Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7am/7pm

Week 1: Feb 14 – Feb 18

Psalm 120 & 121

Week 2: Feb 19 – Feb 25

Psalm 122, 123

Week 3: Feb 26 – March 3 

Psalm 124, 125, 126

Week 4: March 4 – March 10

Psalm 127, 128, 129

Week 5: March 11 – March 17

Psalm 130, 131, 132

Week 6: March 18 – March 24

Psalm 133 & 134

Week 7: March 25 – March 28

Holy Week Meditations
Join us for a transformative Lenten journey as we delve into the Psalms of Ascents in a guided meditation video call. Let's explore together the richness of
these sacred texts and deepen our spiritual growth. Use the link below to join our fasting meditation at 7am on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
JOIN THE CALL