Fasting is a practice in many religions when one abstains from food and drink. It tests one’s ability for self-control. For others, it is more of a sacrifice or to atone for one’s sins. Still for others, it is purely for health reasons.

For the Christian, the main purpose is to manifest his love for God. One cannot fast when Jesus is around, but one must fast if Jesus is absent from one’s life. By fasting, a Christian is saying that God is important in life, not food, drink nor bodily pleasures. Yet if we continue to mistreat our fellowmen, our fasting will be for naught. One must first have good relations with others, be just in all his dealings, and be compassionate to the poor, if he wants his fasting and prayers to be acceptable to God. Those who fast but continue to mistreat others are hypocrites.

Some people fast in order to combat the devil. When a holy man is beset by many trials and temptations, fasting is a good weapon to combat the enemy, to tell the devil to his face that he is ready to fight him.
How about you? Why do you fast?