For centuries, Christians have chosen to fast in some way or another as a means to participate in the sufferings of Christ and remind themselves of the need for his sacrifice on the cross. Fasting allows us to resist cheap desires, say “yes” to deeper union, confess our need for God, and contend for God to move in the lives of our neighbors. Here are a few different ways you could fast during the 40 days of Lent:

1. Easy — Eliminate unnecessary food, snacks, or food delivered to your house.
2. Moderate — Fast from one meal each week. 
3. Hard — Fast from one or two meals one or two days each week.
4. Very Hard — Eat only one meal a day for 6 days a week, and feast on Sundays. 

For some of us, abstaining from digital media would do more for our souls than fasting from food. By removing or limiting our digital distractions, we also remove or limit the noise that pull our hearts away from God daily. Instead of using digitalism for rest and escape, go to God in prayer for rest. Here are some ways to practice digital simplicity during Lent: 

1. Easy — Set time limits on all forms of media during the week.
2. Moderate — Eliminate one form of media during Lent such as social media, TV, or video games. 
3. Hard — Delete all unnecessary apps from your phone (YouTube, socials, Amazon, etc.)
4. Very Hard — Eliminate all forms of unnecessary digitalism (TV/movies, YouTube, social media, etc.)

Lent is also a time for us to engage in intentional forms of generosity by giving the resources we save in our fasting to those in need. Throughout the scriptures and church history, this is called almsgiving. Here are some ways to practice almsgiving during Lent:

1. If you’re fasting, save the money you’d normally spend on food and give it to the church, to someone you know in need, to a charitable organization, or just pay for someone else’s meal. 
2. Commit to giving sporadically, systematically, or sacrificially to your local church as a way to participate in the Kingdom with your financial resources. 
3. Commit to serving in your local church or volunteering at an organization that blesses others regularly. 
4. During your fast, commit to praying regularly for the lost. You could set a reminder on your phone for a specific time each day or once a week to pray. 

Lent is always observed as a church community together. Though you can engage in this season in isolation, the best part of Lent is breaking your fast once a week by feasting with others. Here are some ways to intentionally practice community during Lent:

1. Choose one meal a week to feast with others. These could be friends, family members, or people from your Together Group. 
2. Commit to eating with a different person after church every Sunday. 
3. Find someone to hold you accountable to your fast and hold them accountable to theirs.
4. Find others who would like to practice serving or volunteering alongside you. 

To help you decide what to fast or abstain from, we recommend doing the following:

1. Set aside 20-30 minutes to pray and reflect on your daily habits. Ask God to reveal things that are pulling you away from Him, distracting you, or helping you give into sin. 
2. Whatever God brings to mind (or whatever you’re the most resistant to giving up) ask God to help you discern ways to limit or eliminate that thing altogether. 
3. Start small but challenge yourself. The goal is not to achieve anything, it’s to offer yourself to God so he can prune you by leading you to repentance. 
4. Remember that Lent is about the grace of God given to us freely through the sacrifice of Jesus. What that means for your practice is that your fasting and abstaining isn’t a way to get more love or affection from God. If you fail, that’s okay. Use your weakness to turn your heart back towards God in prayer and repentance. This is the whole purpose of Lent.