Stand With the Poor

Fasting is a way to bridge this gap, between “the haves” and “the have nots.” Going back at least as far as Isaiah 58, it has long been a vehicle for biblical justice, a way for those with too much food to share with those in need of food.

Early on in the history of the church, fasting was tied to what Jesus and the early Christians called “almsgiving” — a practice that combined generosity, serving, and justice. On fasting days, Christians would take the food or money they would have spent on food and give it to the poor. Often, they would also give the time they would have spent cooking, eating, and cleaning up to serving the poor. This simple practice of giving away the money we would have spent on ourselves has the potential to transform not only the lives of the poor, but our own lives and communities as well.

Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice over the next four weeks, as well as resources for further exploration.

Ways to engage with the Fasting Practice

• First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together. 

• Download the Fasting Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices. 

• Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.

• Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith. 

• Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.

Recommended Reading

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis (Chapters 16-20)

Rule of Life Podcast

Fasting Practice Week 4

Fasting Practice Guide

Download the practice guide here

Week 4 Practice - Fast for one day this week, giving what you would have spent on food to the poor

For the Fasting Practice, each week’s exercise will be similar and straightforward: fast for one full day until sundown. Each week, we will attempt to focus our hearts on the reason for fasting we covered in that week’s session. This week, focus on reason one: growing in holiness.

• In the time you'd normally be grocery shopping, cooking, eating, or cleaning, focus your heart on standing with the poor and hungry.

• Calculate the money you would have spent on breakfast and lunch and share it wtih the poor.

Some ideas of how to do this:

• Donate the money or food to your local food bank (Willowbrook Food Pantry), or to another local nonprofit.

• Buy groceries for someone.

• Share your money with someone who needs help paying a medical bill or unexpected expense.

Week 4 Reflection Questions

Before your next time together with the group, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:

• Did I notice any need in my community this week?

• How did my heart react to this week's focus on justice?

• Have I sensed any changes in myself during this practice?