Today is Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent. The Lenten season of the Christian Year when Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. I share with you today a way of fasting during Lent.
THE JOHN WESLEY FAST – A LENTEN DISCIPLINE
What is the “John Wesley Fast?”
Each Thursday evening, after the evening meal, until mid-afternoon on each Friday, Methodist people are invited to follow Wesley’s example of fasting and prayer. During this time he did not take solid food but fasted and focused much of his time in prayer.
What is a fast?
Normally persons do not use solid food, but continue with liquids during such a short but regular fast.
Who is invited to participate in the “John Wesley Fast?”
John Wesley expected the “preachers” to participate, and he wanted all of the 
Methodist leaders and people to follow this discipline.
Why this pattern?
Methodist people are invited to discover the power in this regular pattern and discipline that John Wesley followed for a half a century. For Wesley, the more important reason for fasting was that fasting is a help to prayer.
As one of John Wesley’s “preachers,” I would like to suggest that this Lenten you observe the “John Wesley Fast” as a Lenten discipline.
Related articles
- What To Give Up For Lent: Why You Should Choose Facebook, Social Media (ibtimes.com)
- When does Lent 2017 start and what is Ash Wednesday? (telegraph.co.uk)
A Pastor's Thoughts 