The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting
 
The practice of "fasting" is recognized by every major religion as an important component of faith and worship. It is a necessary spiritual discipline for those serious about their religion and worship practices.
 
Fasting is a willing abstinence or reduction from some (or all) food, drink, types of work, entertainment or activity (or all), for a specified period of time. Most usually an absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and drink for a defined period, usually a period of 24 hours or for a specific number of days. Many fast during holy days such as the season of Ramadan or Lent – especially from eating outside of prescribed hours or special foods such as candy or sweets or abstaining from other things desired such as television.
 
Fasting and sacrifice are critically important to spiritual development, they help to purify the soul. People fast and offer sacrifices as reparation to God as amends for the sins of our parents, for the sins of others, as well as the many offenses they, themselves, commit against God. It is penance and atonement and as such it is freely and willingly offered as “Fasts” or “Sacrifices,” i.e., as offerings or reparation for the sins of man.
 
Second, fasting and sacrifice helps to heighten spiritual acuity. It strengthens spiritual resolve and focus. It is a paradox of life in that one becomes more focused through privation, than perhaps having everything – all the material things life has to offer. Fasting gives meaning as one sacrifices even the little luxuries for the Love of God and for the sake of others. It breaks self-centeredness and augments being other-centered.  It helps clarify, purify and sanctify. It increases gratitude and a sense of blessings. One becomes more sensitive and open to new messages and directions. Perspectives change. One begins to form a clearer conscience. Fasting confirms your Faith. It puts faith into action, and moves one beyond the words. It helps to put aside the material pleasures of the world and makes one more sensitive to the intrinsic and spiritual nature of love, peace, and justice, and it tremendously increases the ability for enlightenment.

Fasting is Worship
 
Fasting and Sacrifice is one of the best forms of Worship. It helps to keep meaning and purpose in the forefront of life.
 
Sacrifice is the ultimate act of selflessness (rather than selfishness.) The act of self-denial for a greater good is the ultimate expression of love, and a self-imposed suffering offered up while asking nothing in return for ourselves is the ultimate act of giving in the spirit of love and can be the greatest act of charity. Many of the eastern philosophies also teach that Fasting and Sacrifice have a secondary effect - they help to "cleanse the human soul of worldly desires."
 
Together Prayer and Fasting Can Work Miracles

And just how powerful is fasting? Well, Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to leave their victims, but when the apostles tried and failed to do so Jesus said, “Remember, certain spirits can only be caste out through prayer and fasting.” So according to the bible, faith with prayer and fasting can work miracles - in fact many miracles can only be realized through prayer and fasting together.  It has even been said that through prayer and fasting “wars can be averted, and the laws of nature can be changed!”
 
Fasting helps heal one’s excesses and overindulgence. Fasting helps one to restrain himself from disordered pleasure seeking which can lead into a wasteful or wasted life. Fasting aids and ensures control over one's self. Only the person who can dominate himself is truly free, and it helps to free oneself from every slavery and especially slavery to sin.
 
With fasting, one finds a newer dimension of peace and serenity. Serenity is lacking today or is threatened by a culture of lifestyles of the rich and self-indulgent. Imagine, that through faith, prayer and fasting man has the power as granted by God for peace and even  to minimize or prevent natural disasters!
 
Contrary to popular belief fasting is not a hardship but a great and powerful gift, if only we would use it!

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