FASTING DAY 9: Station Days – Standing Guard Against the Devil
Description: Early Christians didn't just call it "fasting"—they called it stationes, a Roman military term that means "standing guard." In Day 9 of our history series, we explore how the early church viewed fasting as active spiritual combat rather than just passive hunger. We look at why they treated their weekly fasts like soldiers standing watch at a guard post.
We explain the history of "Station Days," where believers fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays until the "ninth hour" (3:00 PM). We look at why they chose that specific time—to mark the moment Jesus died on the cross—and how church leaders like St. Ambrose and Tertullian described these days as "encampments against the attacks of the devil." We see how fasting was used to protect the church against spiritual enemies.
For modern Christians, this concept challenges us to stop just skipping meals and start "standing watch." Are you vigilant against temptation, or are you just hungry? Join us to learn how to turn your fast into a spiritual weapon and stand guard over your life and family.
Keywords: Station days, stationes, spiritual warfare, early church fasting, St. Ambrose, Tertullian, fasting until 3pm, ninth hour, spiritual vigilance, history of fasting.
