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Fasting Across Faiths
The concept of fasting in different religions
Fasting is a common practice across many faiths. For Muslims, the month-long Ramadan fast prohibits eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. Christians sometimes fast before important holidays or for personal reflection. Hindus may fast twice monthly on specific days or for festivals, illness, or enlightenment.
Jews fast on Yom Kippur and during mourning. No matter the religion, fasting typically involves some element of self-discipline, sacrifice, and mindfulness through temporarily giving up pleasures like food. While traditions vary, the overall goal is drawing nearer to one’s higher power or realizing spiritual benefits.
Christianity
Within the Christian faith, fasting has long been used as a tool for spiritual growth and demonstration of devotion to God. It creates the opportunity to discipline our physical desires in service of strengthening our relationship with the divine.
Historically, rules around fasting differed between denominations and eras. Today, the most widely observed time of fasting is the Lenten season before Easter. Lasting 40 days to mirror Jesus’ time in the desert, it begins on Ash Wednesday and sees many give up favorite foods or luxuries as an act of sacrifice.
