-

Right, spiritual disciplines. They sound like something I'm meant to be doing.
- Come at me, Richard Foster.
- Which one should I do?
- They all look quite hard work, actually.
- I'm just going to open the book at random and let God choose which discipline it falls on.
- Oh no, fasting.
- Why couldn't it have been something easy like prayer?
- I'm really good at praying.
- Oh well, fasting it is.
- Maybe I'll become an excellent faster.
- Is fast-er a word?
- I'll do it every week.
- I'll become known as 'the one who fasts'.
- People will think I'm really holy.
- And they'll be right.
- Anyway.
- A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
- Today is that step.
- At least I had a big breakfast.
- The most important meal of the day.
- FOCUS.
- Okay, I won't eat again until tomorrow.
- Not one morsel shall pass these lips.
- Not even a chicken nugget.
- Oh man, I would love a chicken nugget right now.
- Or a Wagon Wheel.
- Or a sausage roll.
- Seriously now, focus.
- What are you supposed to do while fasting?
- Usually I would be having a snack at this time.
- It is 9.30 in the morning after all.
- What would I have if I could eat anything in the world?
- Ham.
- Okay, I think you're meant to pray instead of eating, aren't you?
- I'm just going to do that subtly at my desk.
- I'm sure no one will notice.
- At least, I hope they don't pay that much attention to me when I'm scoffing a bag of Skips twice a day.
- I love Skips.
- Right, time to pray.
- Dear Lord...
- I'm still hungry.
- Shouldn't God take away the hunger or something?
- That's not the point?
- Oh.
- I need a distraction.
- I'll take one of those quizzes online.
- Which pudding are you?
- You know what, I've always wondered.
- Ah, blancmange. I thought so.
- Blancmange is a funny word isn't it?
- Blancmange.
- I could devour a blancmange.
- Oh it's nearly lunchtime, thank goodness.
- Can you call it lunchtime when you're not actually eating lunch?
- Maybe I'll do loads of work instead and be super productive.
- Or go for a long, luxurious walk.
- No, better conserve my calories.
- That porridge won't keep me going forever.
- And I'm sure I look thinner already.
- I'm going to try those too-small skinny jeans on as soon as I get home.
- This is basically a diet.
- It could be the beginning of the new me.
- Oh good. It's Gavin's birthday.
- And he's bought in cake for everyone.
- THANKS GAVIN.
- He's so selfish.
- I regret contributing to his giftcard now.
- It's for Millets anyway.
- Who shops in Millets?
- I could buy loads of Kendal Mint Cake for £50 though.
- I bet Gavin will waste it on waterproof trousers or something.
- I've never liked him that much.
- Disaster. Someone's sent through the menu for the restaurant we're eating at on Friday night.
- I will pre-order EVERYTHING.
- I will be that person that makes everyone wait for their mains because I've ordered three starters.
- I deserve it after the day I'm having.
- Being holy is exhausting.
- Are you allowed tea while you're fasting?
- I'm having a tea.
- It's 3pm and I'm British, it would be practically criminal not to.
- Feel a bit guilty though.
- I'll pray extra hard to make up for it.
- Oh man, today is dragging on.
- What shall I have for dinner tonight?
- Oh.
- I mean, what if I did eat dinner...?
- Surely Jesus wouldn't mind that much?
- If I last until 6 o'clock that will have been 10 whole hours without food.
- TEN HOURS.
- No wonder I feel lighter.
- Seriously, I must have lost weight.
- My mother will be thrilled.
- Okay, that's it. I'm having dinner.
- It really wouldn't do to make myself ill.
- And my stomach is making some rather alarming noises.
- Keith from HR looks quite perturbed.
- Oh sod it, I'm having a biscuit.
- This one's for you, Keith.
- I'll try again next week. I promise.
-

The story of St Patrick’s Day
-

'Sad news' as House of Lords approves abortion up to birth
-

Disestablishing Church of England 'will not be a priority' at next election, says Green Party
-

Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending abortion vote in Lords on Wednesday
-

The little-known story of the woman who rescued Mothering Sunday
-

Archbishop of Canterbury to embark on historic six-day pilgrimage
Most Popular
related articles

Reflection: Could fasting be for you this Lent?
Reflection: Could fasting be for you this Lent?

Fasting: why do I bother with it?
Fasting: why do I bother with it?

70 thoughts you have when you walk into a new church
70 thoughts you have when you walk into a new church

The 75 thoughts you have while trying to have a Quiet Time
The 75 thoughts you have while trying to have a Quiet Time

New Spiritual Disciplines: No.1 â The discipline of Phonedown
New Spiritual Disciplines: No.1 â The discipline of Phonedown
News

Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?
It will be interesting to see if the Scottish government goes down the route of investing in quality palliative care, or whether Liam McArthur's defeated assisted suicide bill is simply resurrected in another form.

Nick Timothy stands by criticism of Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square
Shadow justice minister Nick Timothy is standing by claims that a mass Islamic prayer in Trafalgar Square was “a declaration of domination” that should never be repeated.

Britain’s culture of giving is becoming more 'fragile' as donations fall
A major new report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has raised fresh concerns about the state of charitable giving in the UK, showing that total public donations fell sharply in 2025 as fewer people gave and average gifts became smaller.

UK urged to press Nigeria on violence against Christians during historic Tinubu visit
A coalition of Christian and human rights organisations has called on the UK government to use President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain to press for stronger protections for Christians and other vulnerable communities in Nigeria, amid continuing concern over deadly attacks and weak accountability.



