Why is fasting often associated with prayer?
Our Lord’s example and other scriptural sources teach us that this form of self-discipline is an aid to prayer. • What is abstinence? Abstinence is a voluntary act of lessening the quantity of food one eats or denying oneself other pleasures. • When do Christians fast? Provincial Synod enacted the following: Days of Fasting and Self-denial Fast Days Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Fast Days, when the amount of food eaten is reduced. Days of Self-denial The weekdays of Lent. Other Fridays of the year (except Christmas Day, the Fridays following Christmas, Easter and Ascension Day, and also public holidays falling on a Friday). On these days remembrance is made of the suffering and death of our Lord. They may be observed in one or more of these ways: • By giving more time to prayer, Bible study, or spiritual reading; • By eating less or simpler food; • By giving up some pleasure or luxury, and using the money saved to help other people. (Act of Provincial Synod) Many Christians keep a
