Fasting is a practice that has been observed since the beginning of recorded history. One of the places where we find records of the fast of the first peoples is in the Christian Bible. In fact, one of the earliest recorded occurrences of a fast can be found in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Here it is recorded that while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, he fasted for 40 days.

While there are many biblical references to Christian fasting, Christians do not have set rules or times for fasting like Muslims. Probably the most structured fasting time is found in religions, such as Catholicism, where Lent is observed. During this time, the faithful choose one thing in their lives to fast. This can be a type of food, like coffee or chocolate, or an activity, like watching TV. This action of giving up a favorite thing is supposed to remind the worshiper of Christ’s sacrifice. Participation in Lent, however, is not compulsory for any member of the Christian religion.

Since there are no Christian fasting rules set in stone, we can only follow the examples of fasting that Jesus set for us in the Bible:

“When you fast, do not be sad as the hypocrites do, because they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting… But when you fast, spread oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not show men who are fasting, but only to your Father, who is in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18 NIV

Since Jesus makes this mention of fasting in His Sermon on the Mount, it is clear that fasting is an accepted practice. In fact, there is a record that Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the desert before beginning his public ministry. From the above passage, Christians also infer that God does not respect fasting done just for show. In order to fast properly and in a way that brings glory to God and not to ourselves, we must not make a show of our fast.

In his article “Is Fasting a Christian Duty?”, W. Frank Walton argues that Christian fasting arose much like the practices of foot washing and the holy kiss. “All (these practices) originated in culture, not divine revelation, as a cultural way of expressing an underlying principle,” says Walton. He goes on to add that fasting is not enjoined on Christians as a binding obligation, but rather as a way of expressing their sorrow for mistakes made and the depth of their repentance.

Another way Christians use fasting is in connection with prayer to deepen their relationship with God. Many people find that they can use the time they would have spent preparing and eating their food in prayer. They also believe that this time of fasting increases their awareness of their spiritual selves and makes them more in tune with the Holy Spirit.
Unlike Muslim fasting, there are no set rules for Christian fasting. Christians infer from the Scriptures that fasting is an accepted practice and should not be done in appearance, but with a genuine desire to grow spiritually.