Fasting Guidelines
Fasting used to be a regular practice among Jews in Jesus' day, and among Christians ever since. Lutherans didn't emphasize it as much, and consequently, it has fallen out of practice for us. But Jesus taught us about it, and generations of Christians have found great comfort, help, and spiritual growth through it.
Grace produces a Fasting Guideline every Lent, and the full guide can be downloaded below.
Definitions
- Fast
Limiting the quantity of food. On fasting days, up to two ¼ meals are allowed, and one regular meal in the evening.
- Abstain
Abstaining from animal meat (fish and seafood are acceptable);
Abstaining from wine & alcohol (beer is acceptable).
Lent
No meat (except fish and seafood) on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays.
One full meal (and up to two ¼ meals) every day except Sundays.
Abstain & Fast on Ember Days (First Wednesday, Friday & Saturday in Lent).
Sundays in Lent, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), and The Annunciation (March 25), unless it is during Holy Week.