Fasting: Tertullian on Stations: Fasting in Community

Tertullian (d. c. 220) described the early church practice of "station days" -- communal half-day fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays. He wrote: "Most think that the station fasts should not be continued to the evening, since the very name of 'station' is derived from the military custom, for no station lasts beyond sunset." These were not private devotions but shared communal disciplines.

The practice of fasting together created solidarity among early Christians. They were not simply individuals pursuing personal holiness but a community disciplining itself collectively. This communal aspect of fasting has largely been lost in modern Western Christianity but was central to the ancient practice.

Practical application: Organize a group fast with your small group, family, or church. Choose a shared day and purpose -- perhaps fasting and praying for a specific need in your community. Break the fast together with a simple shared meal in the evening. The communal fast transforms individual discipline into an act of corporate worship and mutual encouragement.