Pastor's Study

WESLEYAN FAST

     Fasting has a rich tradition in the Bible as a means of growing closer to God and strengthening one’s self to do God’s will.  Immediately after his baptism, and right before he began his public ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness where he fasted forty days.  (Matthew 4:2)  Fasting has been an integral part of the lives of most of the great spiritual leaders of the Church.  Yet today fasting is one of the most neglected of all the spiritual disciplines.  Therefore, you are invited to covenant with your sisters and brothers in Christ to join in a fast during Lent this year. 

     We will follow a practice of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.  Wesley knew how important it was to constantly strengthen one’s relationship with God, and he fasted at various times throughout his life.  One of those frequent periods of fasting was from Thursday evening until noon Friday.  Therefore, if your health allows, and you are willing, you are invited to fast from 6:00 p.m. on Thursday until noon on Friday during the six weeks of Lent.  During this time you would drink only water.  Our first fast day will be on Thursday, February 23rd, and our last fast day will be on Thursday, April 5th. 

     Everyone is asked to be in daily prayer for each other throughout the season of Lent.  If you are willing to join in this fast, please email me at pastor@camdenfirstumc.org so we may lift one another up in prayer.