Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. -Psalm 119:37

Perhaps you’ve been asked, “Are you giving up anything for Lent?” There is a longstanding tradition in the church of each individual choosing something to abstain from during the 40-day season of Lent. This year rather than each of us choosing something individually, our congregation is encouraged to join together in giving up (or reducing our use of) screens.

To back up a bit, the practice of fasting, commonly from food, is one with biblical roots and ancient practice. It is not mandated for Christians but Jesus and the Scriptures generally assume believers will practice fasting in some form or fashion. Fasting is a form of self-denial by which we remember that “man does not live by bread alone but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Fasting does not earn us favor with God. Rather, it is intended to cultivate humility and refresh us in our relationship with God and others.

Why Fast From Screens?

There is mounting evidence that the amount of time and attention that people of all ages spend looking at screens has had negative effects on our health and relationships, including our relationship with God.

Numerous studies, books, and documentaries have all converged on the fact that too much screen time is not good for us. Whether it is a TV, a tablet, a video game, a computer, or our ever-present smartphones, our devices too often become a distraction from more important things.

Unplugging will give us the opportunity for stronger connections to God and the real people around us. As Pastor Jonathan Conner writes, a digital fast allows us to focus on the unpixellated, three-dimensional life. Take a minute to think about life without the constant anthem of dings and expectation of nonstop accessibility.

The Power Of Collective Action

While participation in this digital fast is optional for those in our congregation (we won’t be knocking on doors or doing surveillance), our hope and prayer is that, as a faith family, we are able to provide accountability and encouragement to do something others may consider radical in today’s world. We’re already hearing plans from church members when it comes to the parameters they’re setting for tech usage and the subsequent redirection of their time!

Setting The Rules

In his book, The Digital Fast, Dr. Darren Whitehead lays out two paths for intentionally reducing the role of technology for a 40 day period. Either can apply to an individual or a household.

First, you can go all in. Remove all apps from your smartphone, thereby rendering it “dumb”, able only to make calls and receive/send text messages. No tablets, no TVs, no video games, etc. Screen use is limited to work hours for work purposes.

Another option is to put specific boundaries around your use of digital technology, such as hours, places, or times of the day that it’s off limits.

We found the following questions helpful when deciding on our fasting parameters:

• Is this use of technology for the purpose of utility, connection or distraction?
• If utility or connection, is there an analog way to meet the same goal?
• If distraction, where am I not engaging that would be of benefit to myself and/or to others?
• How is my use of technology impacting my relationship with God?
• What, if any, are exceptions to my/our fast? (Ex. work, far away family connections, etc.)

Preparing For Change

Depending on your current digital habits, you may want to begin making adjustments prior to your official fast. Some practical things to consider:

• Let family and close friends (or anyone you may communicate with digitally on a regular basis) that your communication habits will likely change due to the digital fast.
• Share your regular working hours via your email signature or an auto-response feature to let people know when they can expect to hear back from you (or more accurately, that you won’t be answering emails at all hours of the day or night).
• Find a place outside of your bedroom for your phone to sleep. Create a household charging station, if applicable.
• Since you possibly just moved your alarm clock out of ear shot, look through the closet/junk drawer for an “old fashioned” one (meaning it only serves that single function) or stop by the thrift store to pick one up.
• Check out Pastor Jonathan Conner’s work on the detrimental impact of screens and how to combat the impact on our families and communities (better yet, schedule him to speak at your church, school, or community organization!).
  • Webinar “Your Life on Screens”
  • Blog series “Save Your Kids–and Yourselves!” Part 1 and Part 2
  • Blog post “TikTok Knew”

Engage In Face-To-Face, Analog Ways

Fasting from digital technology will afford us the space to engage in relationships and practices that we have been distracted from. Here are a few suggestions:

• Read!
  • Ask your pastor about a Bible reading plan for Lent or check the front/back of your Bible for direction!
  • “Redeeming Technology: A Christian Approach to Healthy Digital Habits” by Rev. Trevor Sutton would be an appropriate and edifying read for this season. It is available through Concordia Publishing House or on Amazon (order using digital technology while you still can J)
  • “The Anxious Generation” by Dr. Jonathan Haidt
• Join a Bible study.
• Visit homebound members of your church family.
• Play board games with family and friends.
• Sit on your front porch.
• Take walks alone or with a fellow-faster.
• Pick up a creative hobby
• Use times when you would normally reach for your phone or remote as a time for prayer.
• Visit your local library.
• Use a physical cookbook in lieu of online recipe blogs.
• Eat meals around a table with others (this includes making plans with those outside of your household).

A Note On Timing And Lenten Fasting

A technology fast can occur at any time. While Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, you can still engage in a fast even if you’re reading this further into the season.

Note also that there are different ways of counting the days of Lent but for purposes of the fast, we will suggest keeping it until the conclusion of the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, April 19, 2025. Whether you choose to include the Sundays (traditionally a day of breaking the Lenten fast to celebrate God’s abundant grace) is up to you. We would humbly encourage keeping the fast even on Sundays in order to give our brains a longer consecutive period of “detox” from our devices.

If you’d like to talk or if you would like Lutheran Family Service to present on this topic to your group or congregation, we have counselors and speakers available. Contact us today for scheduling.

• Call: 515-573-3138
• Email: [email protected]
• Web Form: http://lutheranfamilyservice.org/contact/