Spiritual fasting is something that is observed by many different religions. The idea of fasting for most is to deny the body of one of its basics needs. This humbles the body, and many believe that when you humble your body before God that you are closer to God and able to receive a better understanding of faith and God’s wishes for you. People from all different religions around the world believe in spiritual fasting, with there being a different take on it for each religion and each individual.

Christian Fasting

Christian fasting has been done for ages and is considered the voluntary withholding of food to allow your spirituality to override your desires for food and other things instead of having your desires override your spirituality. There are many different types of Christian fasting such as the Daniel fast, which is a 21 day fast where you eat limited amounts of food, fasting during lent where you don’t eat meat or you vow not to eat a specific type of food. The idea is to give up something that you love, humbling yourself, bringing yourself closer with God. Throughout time Christians have believed that fasting brings you a defined sense of spirituality, which is why fasting is always accompanied by prayer in Christianity.

Jewish Fasting

Those that are Jewish are well versed in fasting. There are many significant Jewish days where fasting is required. Fasting in the Jewish religion means abstaining from all food and water, and on certain days brushing ones teeth and even taking medications is prohibited. Only people who are ill or are under the age of a bar or bat mitzvah are required to fast. Those that are exempt are not to eat luxurious foods and are to eat as little as possible. Fasting in the Jewish religion is primarily to repent, yet there is joy in repenting because disciples know that repentance brings redemption.

Jewish Fasting takes place during Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av first and foremost and this is when fasting is observed most stringently. Other fasting days include the Fast of Gdaliah, the Fast of the 10^th of Tevet, the Fast on the 17^th of Tammuz, the Fast of the Esther, and the Fast of the Firstborn. In addition there are fasting days that are minor and not observed by all that include the first Monday and Thursday of the months Marcheshvan and Iyar and the day before Rosh Chodesh.

Muslin Fasting

Muslims are most well known for their fasting during Ramadan. This is a month during which Muslims fast during daylight hours and must abstain from eating, drinking, consuming alcohol, and having sex. The purpose of fasting for Muslims is to bring themselves closer to the Lord through abstaining from the things that they enjoy. Muslims fast during many times of the year including Ramadan. Some of the times when Muslims fast include each Monday and Thursday, the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th of each lunar month, the six days in the month of Shawwal, the Day of Arafat, and the day of Ashura.