​​​​​​St. Matthew Baptist Church

The 40 days of Lent include fasting and abstinence from meat. These practices are intended to help focus on God. 

Fasting: Before participating in a fast, you may want to consult your primary healthcare provider. If you participate in a Lent fast, TAKE ALL REQUIRED MEDICATION. Participating in Lent Fasting begins on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means eating one full meal and two smaller meals that don't add up to a full meal. Liquids like tea, coffee, and juice are permitted at any time.  

Other Disciplines of Lent: Prayer, almsgiving (making donations to the poor); avoiding alcohol, sweets, and desserts, fast foods made from chicken and beef

Purpose: Fasting and abstinence are penitential practices that help refocus thoughts and intentions toward God. 

                                    The Bible presents fasting as a spiritual discipline with several key purposes:
To Seek God:Fasting creates space for deeper intimacy with God. By abstaining from food, it can heighten spiritual awareness and focus prayer.
To Humble Oneself:Fasting is a demonstration of humility and dependence on God. It acknowledges that true satisfaction and strength come from God, not from material things.
To Repent:Fasting can accompany repentance for sin, expressing sincere sorrow and a desire for God's forgiveness.
To Seek God's Guidance:When facing important decisions or challenges, fasting can help individuals seek God's wisdom and direction.
To Prepare for Ministry:Fasting can be a time of spiritual preparation for specific ministries or service to others.
Biblical fasting is not primarily about deprivation or punishment. It's about seeking God with a focused and surrendered heart. Therefore, if you are asking God for "something," fasting can be a valid and appropriate spiritual practice.

REMEMBER...
Fasting is not a magical formula! It's a spiritual discipline that should be undertaken with a humble and surrendered heart.
God's timing and will are paramount. Fasting should not be seen as a way to manipulate God or force a specific outcome.
Focus on your relationship with God. While seeking God's guidance is a valid reason for fasting, the primary focus should always be on deepening your relationship with Him. 

                                                                                                      Daniel's Fast

The Daniel Fast is a modern interpretation of the dietary practices of the biblical prophet Daniel, found in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. The fast is inspired by Daniel's decision to abstain from the rich foods offered by the Babylonian court and to focus on a diet of vegetables and water (Daniel 1:8-16). The Daniel Fast typically involves abstaining from: meat (including poultry, fish, and seafood)
dairy products, sweets (including candy, cake, ice cream), processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, refined sugars and grains. It emphasizes a plant-based diet with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. 

                                                                            Bible reading plan for the Lenten season:
Day 1: Mark 1:1-15 Day 2: Mark 1:16-39 Day 3: Mark 2:1-17 Day 4: Mark 2:18-3:6 Day 5: Mark 3:7-19 Day 6: Mark 3:20-35 Day 7: Mark 4:1-25
Day 8: Mark 4:26-41 Day 9: Mark 5:1-20 Day 10: Mark 5:21-43 Day 11: Mark 6:1-29 Day 12: Mark 6:30-56 Day 13: Mark 7:1-23 

Day 14: Mark 7:24-37 Day 15: Mark 8:1-26 Day 16: Mark 8:27-9:1 Day 17: Mark 9:2-29 Day 18: Mark 9:30-50 Day 19: Mark 10:1-27 

Day 20: Mark 10:28-52 Day 21: Mark 11:1-19 Day 22: Mark 11:20-33 Day 23: Mark 12:1-17 Day 24: Mark 12:18-37 Day 25: Mark 12:38-44
Day 26: Mark 13:1-23 Day 27: Mark 13:24-37 Day 28: Mark 14:1-26 Day 29: Mark 14:27-52 Day 30: Mark 14:53-72 Day 31: Mark 15:1-20
Day 32: Mark 15:21-41 Day 33: Mark 16:1-8 Day 34: Mark 16:9-20 Day 35: John 1:1-18 Day 36: John 1:19-51 Day 37: John 2:1-12
Day 38: John 2:13-25 Day 39: John 3:1-21 Day 40: John 3:22-36

                                                   Fasting to Be Seen Only by God:

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:16-18 NKJV).