Fasting from specific treats (like chocolate) is one way to observe a Lenten fast. Another way is to abstain from all food for a period of time. This type of fasting isn't as popular these days, but such fasting canhave the effect of drawing us closer to God, if done in the right spirit.

One Lent I fasted every Monday from the time I got up until dinner time. I broke my fast with fellow Christians (who had also fasted) over a meal of soup and a Lenten devotion. The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, practiced regular fasts during Lent and at other times during the Christian Year.

John Wesley’s Practice of Fasting

“For sixty five years, John Wesley followed the fasting practice of the Anglican church, which included fasting on Fridays, during Lent, and a few other select holidays. A Friday fasting practice paralleled Christ’s passion. Wesley would begin his fast after supper on Thursday, in remembrance of the Last Supper and Jesus’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. He would continue his fast into Friday, in remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and would break his fast with tea on Friday afternoon. This timing coincided with Jesus’ exclamation from the cross (as well as ensure that he wouldn’t miss the British practice of afternoon tea.” (information provided through New England Annual Conference)