Fasting Guide
Our understanding of fasting is to abstain from
something voluntarily, in this case we are primarily talking about not eating,
either for the entire day or at least for one meal. There is no right or wrong way to fast.
Please be sure to still drink lots of fluids;
and if at any time you begin to feel lightheaded or weak, you should eat
something right away.
Who
should not fast?
You shouldn’t fast if you are pregnant, less
than 12 years old, diabetic, or suffer from an eating disorder.
How
can you participate if you can’t fast from food?
You can still fast from activities that
contribute to violence in our world (thoughts, words, and actions).
What intentions should I
include in my prayer?
·
For the prevention of nuclear war and all wars.
·
For the grace to grow in virtue, that will help us to
live Jesus’ model of Gospel nonviolence.
·
For the comfort and relief of those suffering from
violence, especially those who have lost a loved one to violence.
·
For the Church and our Congregation that we may be a
prophetic voice and witness in transforming the world to uphold the values of
just peace and nonviolent conflict resolution.
Prayer and
Reflection Guide for the Fast
If you are alone and/or working, we encourage you to take some time –
especially during the meal you are fasting – in silence with God reflecting on
the scripture and questions below. If
possible, we encourage you to also take some time with your family or community
to share about your experience and answers to the reflection questions
below.
Biblical Texts
We know that violence and war permeate our world and our lives today.
·
Psalm 120:6-7 “I have lived too
long with those who hate peace. I stand
for peace, but when I talk of peace, they want war!”
·
Psalm 140:1-2 “Deliver me YHWH
from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent, who plan evil thing in
their hearts, and start new wars every day.”
We can be strengthened through prayer and practice with the peace that
comes from the Prince of Peace.
·
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For a child has
been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he
is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace…”
·
John 14:27 “Peace I leave
with you; my peace I give to you; but the kind of peace I give you is not like
the world’s peace.”
We
are called as followers of Christ, and children of God, to continue this work
as peacemakers in the world.
·
Matthew
5:9 “Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
·
Matthew
5:43-45 “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor – but
hate your enemy.’ I say to you, ‘love your enemies and pray for your
persecutors. This will prove that you
are children of God.’”
·
Romans
12:18,21 “Do all you can to be at peace with everyone. Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
by doing good.”
·
1
Corinthians 7:15 “God has called us to live in
peace.”
Inspired
by a new imagination rooted in the love and peace of God, we are called as
peacemakers to help realize God’s kindom here on earth as it is in heaven.
·
Romans 12:2 “Don’t conform
yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so
that you can judge what God’s will is – what is good, pleasing, and
perfect.”
·
Isaiah 11:9 “They will not
hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the
knowledge of the YHWH as the waters cover the sea.”
·
Romans 14:17 “For the Kindom of
God is a matter not of eating and drinking, but of justice, peace, and joy in
the Holy Spirit.”
Reflection
Questions:
How can we change?
“Jesus himself lived in
violent times. Yet he taught that the true battlefield, where violence and
peace meet, is the human heart: for “it is from within, from the human heart,
that evil intentions come” (Mk 7:21). But Christ’s message in this regard
offers a radically positive approach. He unfailingly preached God’s
unconditional love, which welcomes and forgives. He taught his disciples to
love their enemies (cf. Mt 5:44) and to turn the other cheek (cf. Mt 5:39)… Whoever
accepts the Good News of Jesus is able to acknowledge the violence within and
be healed by God’s mercy, becoming in turn an instrument of reconciliation. In
the words of Saint Francis of Assisi: “As you announce peace with your mouth,
make sure that you have greater peace in your hearts”. To be true followers of
Jesus today also includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence.” (Pope
Francis’ Message for World Day of Peace 2017)
Personal Level
· What
stirs in me as I participate in this day of prayer and fasting? What thoughts or feelings arise?
·
How is my hunger today connected to
those who hunger every day for peace, safety, and comfort?
·
What do I need to change in my own
heart and mind in order to cultivate peace within myself and in turn the world?
·
For what do I need to ask God’s forgiveness
and for what do I need to forgive others?
Community/ Family Level
·
What kind of world do we
want to be actively creating right now and in the future?
·
Why might the whole of
creation need us to work for peace and justice?
·
How is the call to peace and
nonviolence connected with responding to the cries of the earth and the cries
of the poor?
·
How can we incorporate the work for
peace into our daily prayer lives?
·
How can I continue to educate myself
and take action to prevent further violence in my community and prevent the
spread of wars internationally?
Closing Prayer:
(by Sr. Lyz Szymkiewicz,
CSJ)
God of Great Love, we commit
ourselves to living in the most sincere, true and profound humility so that we
might give voice to your gospel of peace. Empower us with your grace of union
and reconciliation so that we might be impelled to give our whole lives for
those deprived of bread, peace and love. Allow us the courage to give voice to
the cries of the poor, to the terror of those at war, to the humiliation of the
many who are disenfranchised. May your healing and unifying love flow through
us in such a way that it honors every neighbor on Earth, without distinction,
in a manner that glorifies you as the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier of all
life. Amen
Additional Prayer Resources
and Educational Materials:
·
Recommended
Websites:
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