Martin Luther on Fasting

Lutheran Church. — Luther by no means rejected or discountenanced fasting, but discarded the idea that it could be meritorious (Comm. on Aatt. 6:16). The Augsburg Confession (art. 26) repudiates "diversity of meats" and other traditions; but adds, "The charge, however, that we forbid the mortification of our sinful propensities, as Jovian asserts, is groundless. For our writers have always given instruction concerning the cross which it is the duty of Christians to bear. We moreover teach that it is the duty of every man, by fasting and other exercises, to avoid giving any occasion to sin, but not to merit grace hey such works. But this watchfulness over our body is to be observed always, not on particular days only. On this subject Christ says, Take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (Lu 21:34). Again, The devils are snot cast out but by fasting and prayer (Mt 17:21). And Paul says, I keep under may body, and bring it into subjection (1Co 9:27). By which he wishes to intimate that this bodily discipline is not designed to merit grace, but to keep the body in a suitable condition for the several duties of our calling. We do not, therefore, object to fasting itself, but to the fact that it is represented as a necessary duty, and that specific days have, been fixed for its performance."