What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and leads up to Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is the period that commemorates the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary and ends with the celebration of His triumphant resurrection. As Christ has sacrificed for us we in turn abstain from something of significance in our lives in order to draw near to Him.
How will we celebrate Lent at Bethlehem?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline connected with prayer and practiced by believers as a way of removing barriers that keep us from drawing near to God. When speaking of fasting and prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus does not say “if” you pray or fast but “when” you pray and fast. He presupposes that as believers you pray and fast as a regular part of your Christian walk.
Different types of Fasts
• Absolute Fast - abstaining from all food and drink with the exception of water, for a specific period of time
• Partial Fast - abstaining from certain regular food items in your diet (ie. Sodas, sweets, meats, etc.)
• The Daniel Fast- foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast:
All Fruits
All vegetables
All nuts and seeds
Water only
No Meats
Read Daniel 10:2, 3
The right way to Fast
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, 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 men 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 NIV)
Instructions for beginning a Fast
1. Get approval from your doctor before starting any food fast.
2. Cleanse your systems (eat foods high in fiber and drink lots of water approximately 3 days
before beginning your fast as well as throughout your fast).
3. When beginning your fast
a. Be aware of people and places that will cause you to be tempted.
b. Be prayerful throughout your fast and take time to read God’s word.
c. Do not boast about your fast to others. (see Matthew 6:17-18)
4. To break a fast - Go slowly. Do not over eat and be careful not to indulge in rich foods too
quickly.
Lent is the 40-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and leads up to Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is the period that commemorates the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary and ends with the celebration of His triumphant resurrection. As Christ has sacrificed for us we in turn abstain from something of significance in our lives in order to draw near to Him.
How will we celebrate Lent at Bethlehem?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline connected with prayer and practiced by believers as a way of removing barriers that keep us from drawing near to God. When speaking of fasting and prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus does not say “if” you pray or fast but “when” you pray and fast. He presupposes that as believers you pray and fast as a regular part of your Christian walk.
Different types of Fasts
• Absolute Fast - abstaining from all food and drink with the exception of water, for a specific period of time
• Partial Fast - abstaining from certain regular food items in your diet (ie. Sodas, sweets, meats, etc.)
• The Daniel Fast- foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast:
All Fruits
All vegetables
All nuts and seeds
Water only
No Meats
Read Daniel 10:2, 3
The right way to Fast
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, 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 men 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 NIV)
Instructions for beginning a Fast
1. Get approval from your doctor before starting any food fast.
2. Cleanse your systems (eat foods high in fiber and drink lots of water approximately 3 days
before beginning your fast as well as throughout your fast).
3. When beginning your fast
a. Be aware of people and places that will cause you to be tempted.
b. Be prayerful throughout your fast and take time to read God’s word.
c. Do not boast about your fast to others. (see Matthew 6:17-18)
4. To break a fast - Go slowly. Do not over eat and be careful not to indulge in rich foods too
quickly.