The spiritual whetstone on which prayer is sharpened.

Fasting, along with prayer and helping the poor, is one of the three spiritual disciplines of Lent and is a fruitful discipline year-round. 

Fasting is a most powerful way to make small, intentional gestures of courage and initiatives that counter desolation’s destructive tendencies. Bad habits, vices, and indulgences often contribute to spiritual desolation and prolong distress and unhappiness. Fasting directly opposes this tendency of spiritual desolation. Pray to understand and act upon the personal sacrifices that will counteract any destructive distractions. In doing so, you will foster a stronger relationship with God and cultivate a deeper reliance on Him. Hope will grow through each small victory over self!

“The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue.” – St. John Chrysostom “

Throughout Sacred Scripture, we find that when God’s people fast, the power of their prayers is increased, especially when they are engaged in spiritual warfare. In the Old Testament, the Lord told Isaiah that a fast properly undertaken would ‘loose the bonds of wickedness … undo the thongs of the yoke … let the oppressed go free’ (Is. 58:6) … In the New Testament, we find that Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness in preparation for His battle with Satan, who came to tempt Him (see Lk 4:1-2) … If prayer is a spiritual weapon, fasting is the spiritual whetstone on which it is sharpened. It’s the spiritual muscle that, when exercised regularly, strengthens the thrust of that weapon to pierce the Enemy and drive him away.” — Paul Thigpen, p. 42, Manual for Spiritual Warfare