Lent Day 45, Friday, Apr 2, 2021

“24-hour Fast, Again!”

It’s Good Friday!  Once again, we are Challenged to join many other Christians in Fasting from food for 24-hours.  If you tried last Friday and were able to accomplish this Challenge, great job!  You have already done it once and you can do it again!  If you were unable to accomplish the 24-hour Fast last week, no worries!  You’re getting another shot at it.  WOOHOO!  (If you’re new to these Lenten Challenges, consider tackling this one!)

In honor of Good Friday, the day that the Christian Church remembers the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, lots of Christians will practice the ancient discipline of Fasting.  Aww, no worries!  Sometimes, people hear the word “discipline” and begin to involuntarily twitch as they remember their nightmare experiences from elementary school.  But, in this instance, “discipline” simply refers to training the mind and body to wait just a little longer.  That’s all it is:  demonstrating some patience as we wait a little longer to satisfy those urges.

Now for the rules: All drinks are okay today (liquid diet for 24 hours).  If you haven’t eaten today, good for you!  Count backward to your last food consumption, and begin counting from that point.  You’re ahead!  If you have already eaten today, add 24 hours to your last meal and don’t eat again until that time tomorrow.  (Folks with medical conditions that require food consumption are exempt from this Challenge.  Consider reading the Bible for one hour as your replacement.  Quit crying.  The ones who are participating in this Fasting Challenge would gladly read the Bible for an hour today if they could munch on some pizza while doing it.)

It’s Good Friday!  The 24-hour Fast begins now!

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”  (Esther 4:16, NIV)