Fasting and Its Relationship to Repentance

Main Idea

In this lecture, fasting is defined not as a mere bodily restriction on eating, but as a spiritual virtue aimed at lifting the soul and striving for closeness to God. True fasting is accompanied by genuine repentance, for God does not accept fasting separated from purity of heart and abandoning sin.

Spiritual and Educational Dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox perspective)

Fasting is a sacred time for repentance, supplication, and purification from sins. It is mentioned that fasting is linked to prayer and love for God, and its purpose is to make the person disdain material things and dedicate himself to the Lord. Fasting must be accompanied by brokenness of heart, confession of sins, and concentrated effort to remove the personal weakness that distances the person from God.

Practical Elements of an Acceptable Fast

• Orientation of the heart toward God: fasting for the Lord rather than habit or outward show.
• Practical repentance: abandoning the sin that weakens you instead of merely abstaining from food.
• Self-examination: knowing your weak point and working to heal it with focus.
• Humility, weeping, and prayer: they are manifestations of true repentance during the fasting period.

Educational Conclusion

Fasting is a means of spiritual renewal and drawing near to God when joined with sincere repentance and purity of heart. Bodily fasting alone without inner transformation is “void and not accepted.” The believer must make the fasting period a program of repentance that includes the tongue, thought, heart, and actions

Repentance

Fasting

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