Lent has been around for centuries, dating back to the Early Church. It’s a 40-day season of reflection, repentance, and renewal, modeled after Jesus’ time fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). At its core, Lent is about making space—letting go of distractions so we can refocus on what really matters: God’s love, justice, and the hope of resurrection.
Traditionally, people observe Lent through fasting, prayer, and generosity—practices that deepen our dependence on God and remind us of Christ’s sacrifice. But fasting isn’t just about what we give up—it’s about what we step into.
All throughout Scripture, fasting isn’t just a private spiritual practice; it’s a call to justice. It wakes us up to the suffering around us and moves us toward real action.
Fasting and Justice: A Biblical Foundation
The Bible makes it clear: true fasting isn’t just about skipping meals. It’s about aligning our hearts with God’s justice. In Isaiah 58, God speaks powerfully about what kind of fasting He desires:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
(Isaiah 58:6-7)
God is clear: fasting without justice is empty. It was true in Isaiah’s time, and it’s true today. If our fasting doesn’t move us to care for our neighbors—especially those who are hungry, displaced, or struggling—it’s missing the point.
Jesus reinforces this in His own ministry. In the wilderness, He fasts not just to deny Himself, but to rely fully on God (Matthew 4:1-11). Later, He warns against performative fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), calling His followers to authenticity, not empty rituals.
Fasting as Solidarity with the Oppressed
Fasting allows us to step—just for a moment—into the reality that millions face every day: hunger, scarcity, vulnerability. It’s a small way to wake us up to the injustices around us. But awareness alone isn’t enough. True solidarity leads to action.
John the Baptist’s words are simple but urgent:
“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” (Luke 3:11)
Fasting should do more than make us feel discomfort—it should push us toward generosity, advocacy, and change. Pope Francis puts it this way:
“Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else.”
Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, said it even more plainly:
“We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other.”
Fasting should draw us closer to those who are suffering and call us into deeper communion—not just with God, but with each other.
Justice as the Fruit of True Worship
Time and again, the prophets warn us: worship that ignores justice is meaningless. Amos 5:21-24 carries some of the strongest words from God on this:
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them…
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
If our Lenten fasts don’t lead us to greater love and action, then we need to rethink them. True fasting should awaken us to:|
- Fair wages and dignity for workers
- Care for immigrants and refugees
- Relief for the hungry and poor
- Challenging systems that perpetuate injustice
Fasting That Leads to Justice: Practical Next Steps
If fasting is about justice, then how do we live that out during Lent? Here are a few ways:
- Fast with Purpose – Choose a fast that connects you to injustice. For example, fasting from unnecessary spending could allow you to donate to hunger relief efforts.
- Pray with Open Eyes – Let the discomfort of fasting remind you to pray for those who live with hunger, displacement, or systemic injustice daily.
- Engage in Advocacy – Isaiah 58 calls us to “break yokes” of oppression. This could mean supporting fair wages, advocating for policies that address poverty, or showing up in solidarity with marginalized communities.
- Serve Locally – Volunteer at a shelter, donate to a food pantry, or partner with organizations working for justice.
- Give Sacrificially – Take what you would have spent on what you’re fasting from and redirect it to a cause that brings God’s justice to life.
Lent isn’t just about us—it’s about the kind of renewal that ripples out into the world. If our fasting doesn’t lead us toward love, justice, and action, then we’re missing the point.
So let’s fast in a way that actually makes a difference—not just by what we give up, but by what we give away. Let’s step into a Lent that breaks chains, feeds the hungry, and brings a little more of God’s kingdom to earth.
May our fast honor God—not because of what we let go of, but because of how we show up for others.
Laurie Nichols has been working in communications and marketing for 25 years, helping organizations and individuals craft compelling narratives and communications strategies. She is the founder of Common Good Communications, a consulting firm dedicated to bringing good ideas to life through effective messaging and strategy. Laurie writes at the Finding Faith Again blog, where she helps those who are far or near to God take one step closer.
