Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, held that fasting served to "kill and subdue the pride and lust of the flesh". As such, the Lutheran churches often emphasized voluntary fasting over collective fasting, though certain liturgical seasons and holy days were times for communal fasting and abstinence.Albala, Ken. 2003. Food in early modern Europe. P.200 Certain Lutheran communities advocate fasting during designated times such as Lent,What is the holiest season of the Church Year? . Retrieved 3 February 2010. Archived copy at the Internet Archive especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. A Handbook for the Discipline of Lent delineates the following Lutheran fasting guidelines:
