Why Catholics Pray and Fast

It's hard to be Christian in the modern world. Many Christian values are frowned upon because we live in a world that worships consumerism. Instant gratification is the norm, and waiting for anything is considered a grave misfortune. We wait for nothing these days; food, special deliveries, even sex, must arrive instantly, or we just may post on social media how we are victims of great torture (Think Yelp reviews and "the friendzone"). What is going on and how do we fix this?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - It's early in the morning in California where I live and work. I have the power to go online and order an item from a store on the east coast. Assuming I am willing to pay, I can have that item in my hands by tomorrow evening. We live in an extraordinary time. If I decide I want to cheat on my wife, I can log onto websites and find someone who is willing to do the same to her husband and we can meet within hours. Thanks to modern technology and the mass erosion of morals, I can now sin at the speed of light.

We are proud of our modern society. Everything is quick and speedy. Compared to our ancestors, we're playing life on "easy mode." Of course, the danger of such living is extreme. Sins like gluttony are quick, cheap and easy. The penalties are non-existent, or so delayed that we hardly associate poor choices with the consequence. Think of how many millions of people go bankrupt with credit card debt because they could not control their impulse to buy more stuff.

We live in a brave new world, about that there is no doubt. We're pretty far from ancient Israel in virtually every meaningful way. So it's ironic to imagine that the best advice for our spiritual health comes from this time. But let's have a look and see if it applies today.

The Gospel of Mark shares with us a little story about a boy who was possessed by a demon. The boy's father brought him to Jesus and asked IF Jesus could help. Jesus noted the father's lack of faith, but helped anyway. Jesus promptly cast out the demon and the boy arose, fully healed.

When the disciples asked how Jesus was able to cast out the demon when no other could, Jesus explained, "Some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:17-29)

The point is, prayer and fasting are the super-weapons of spiritual discipline. It's the "power-up" that people need to reach a higher level of spiritual practice.

Our world is awash with temptation, but Jesus knew temptation too. Likewise, He understands your struggles today. Jesus has already pointed the way forward for you, as have many other biblical wise men, women and prophets. When you face a challenge, prayer and fasting are what you need to focus your mind and energy on the right choice.

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As Catholics, we pray and fast, especially during Lent, because we need to pause and hit the reset button of our spiritual life. In ancient and medieval times, faith was practiced almost continually. Some ancient people attended Mass daily, prayed the Angelus three times per day, and were constantly aware that God belonged at the center of their lives. Many medieval chroniclers actually described these people as simple, yet happy.

Today, we may frown on the life of the medieval peasant, or the humble monk, but there's no way to avoid the reality that they lived fulfilling lives free of the temptations and anxieties that plague us today. They faced fewer spiritual dangers, and they knew their place in God's kingdom, both now and for the hereafter.

We however, spend a lot less time in prayer and contemplation. We spend more time in front of the television than we do in church. Fewer people pray before meals in the home and it is rare to see someone pray in public before a meal. Those that do, manage it quickly and quietly, as if they are embarrassed. What does that say about us as Catholics?

As long as we skip prayer and fasting, we will be deprived of the primary weapon God gave us to combat the worst demons in our lives.

Is it any wonder then why we live in a world that eschews prayer and fasting?! Could it be because the demons are multiplying?

Prayer and fasting may be technically optional in the modern practice of Catholicism, but it isn't optional at all. In fact, the modern world with its distractions, and our honed ability to sin at the speed of light, makes prayer and fasting even more necessary than ever before.

If you want to improve your life, you will need to undertake the discipline of regular prayer and fasting. Only then will you have the power to cast out the demons that threaten your life.