Whats the reason people fast?

Question

Correction: Why do people fast?

Answer 1

To clear their minds and get closer to God.

Answer 2

First - great picture!! I love Captain Sparrow!!
Now - your question:
Fasting can apply to just about anything, not just food - though that's the most common thing. When I "fast," I first remember that I am doing it for the Glory of God, not for myself. This means that I don't talk about what I'm doing or draw attention to it in any way. It's between me and God, and my only "benefit" in fasting is to draw closer to God by self-denial. Whenever I miss what I'm fasting, I pray - so God and I talk a lot more during these times. While I might fast anytime, Lent and Advent are the two seasons that I will usually observe in this way.
To give you an idea of what I mean about fasting "other" things - during Lent last year, I pared my closet down to just 5 outfits for work and one for my "off" time and wore nothing else until Easter. My intent was to both simplify my life to make more room for prayer and to identify more closely with people who have no wardrobe choices to distract them.. ie - poor people everywhere. Hope this helps you......

Answer 3

In response to chippy, In the bible Jesus rebuked the Pharasees for fasting to get attention. they weren't fasting to get closer to God, it was for the respect of other people. Jesus said that they would get no reward in heaven because they were getting their reward here in the respect of the people. (by the way, Jesus fasted, so it's not against the bible to fast.)

To answer the question, fasting (combined with prayer) is meant to bring you closer to God, and show devotion to Him. While it is true that frequent, prolonged, fasting is unhealthy, I find that if i fast for about a day, I often come away with a new perspective, and feel closer to God.

Answer 4

This is an interesting question. If you are familiar with Salvador Dali, the painter, you will know what fasting can do to you artistically. Your mind starts to do strange things when you are starving and fasting is not limited to religious practice.

Answer 5

For religious reasons or dieting?
Well, fasting helps the body to clean itself... and it reminds people of the poor who can't or struggle to get their food. So it's a way to show how other people feel therefore to help them. It also teaches you to be able to control yourself and your desires.
and well the whole dieting thing is pretty obvious...

Answer 6

Fasting is a way for a person to control their body, and not let their body control them.
During this time, one will look to God to give them the spiritual nourishment to replace the physical nourishment deprived from lack of food.

Answer 7

Fasting removes toxins. All of your organs just feel better. I find it surprising that so many religious people think this just means 12 hours.

Answer 8

well alot of times when i fast especially from food, i get hunger pains, which are good because they remind me what i'm fasting for.. a reletive, for God. we fast especially around lent because one reason is that Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and suffered. fasting from things are good becuase it reminds you that we should not be attached to this world but to Christ and his kindom of heaven.

Answer 9

Mav fasts to remove toxins from her body. She then has a clearer mind to hear God.

"Why is rum ALWAYS gone?"

Answer 10

Is this a religious question? Simply a form of additional penance for your shorcomings or "sins" against God.

Answer 11

I fast to clean out my system.