Millions Are Fasting and Praying Without Knowing Its Christian and the Church Is Missing It
Non believers are discovering Jesus through fasting silence and gratitude. As Lent 2026 begins the Church has a massive evangelistic opportunity it is missing.
How Ancient Christian Practices Like Fasting and Prayer Are Quietly Converting Non Believers
A growing number of non Christians are discovering Jesus through the very spiritual practices the Church has used for centuries, and most congregations are missing the opportunity entirely.
Katherine Brown, who joined the Evangelical Alliance UK's Being Human team, wrote in Christian Daily International that spiritual disciplines like fasting, gratitude, silence, and digital abstinence are drawing people toward faith in ways traditional apologetics often cannot.
Brown shared a striking example: a non Christian man began experimenting with fasting after hearing about its health benefits on a podcast. What started as a self improvement exercise quickly became something far deeper.
The practice prompted deeper self reflection about impatience and selfishness, leading him to ask, 'Is fasting a Christian thing?'
Eventually, many months later, the man gave his life to Jesus Christ.
Brown, who herself became a Christian a decade ago through prayer rather than argument or sermon, says God felt real during the practice itself. She argues that the Church is sitting on a massive evangelistic opportunity it rarely recognizes.
Cultural figures like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Huberman have attracted massive audiences promoting self improvement practices rooted in Christian tradition, including fasting, silence, gratitude, generosity, digital abstinence, and rhythms of rest. Millions are already trying these disciplines without knowing their origins.
As Lent 2026 begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, Being Human is developing a new tool to help people explore spiritual practices before believing, positioning them as natural pathways toward discovering Jesus.
Fasting, Silence, and Gratitude: The Overlooked Evangelism Tools Converting Seekers to Christ
Brown emphasizes that rather than relying solely on preaching and debate, churches should invite seekers to experience these formational practices firsthand. The experience of God's presence through disciplines like prayer and fasting often speaks louder than any theological argument.
This approach flips the traditional evangelism model on its head: instead of "believe first, then practice," it invites people to practice first and discover belief through experience.
The Crusader's Opinion
This is one of the most encouraging reports I have read in a long time. While the mainstream world mocks the faith, God is using its own self help obsession to draw souls to Christ. Jordan Peterson fans are fasting. Podcast listeners are practicing silence. They are stumbling into the arms of Jesus without even knowing it. The Church needs to wake up and seize this moment. Lent is not just for the already saved. It is a 40 day invitation we should be extending to every lost soul within earshot. Stop debating atheists on Twitter and start inviting your neighbor to fast with you. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.
Take Action
- Invite a non Christian friend, coworker, or neighbor to try one spiritual practice this Lent: fasting, gratitude journaling, or a digital detox. Walk alongside them through the experience.
- Visit Being Human to explore their new tool for helping seekers engage with spiritual practices before belief.
- Support the Evangelical Alliance's work reaching the unreached across the UK and Europe at www.eauk.org.
- Donate to evangelistic outreach through www.TheShepherdsShield.org to support Christians bringing the Gospel to those who have never heard it.
- Share this article with your church leadership team and suggest incorporating a "Lent for seekers" outreach program this season.
