This article is for anyone who may not understand the purpose or importance of fasting. You can be a Christian or a part of one of the many other religions that practice fasting, and still not understand fasting. So this is for anyone! To begin, fasting is the intentional/ deliberate starving of the physical body. People around the world choose not to eat for a set time in order to fulfill some kind of spiritual or even health benefit. Some religions have a set time, (a week, a month, etcetera) and others, like Christianity, allow you to make the choice of when and how long you want to fast.

For those who may be reading this from school, chances are you’ve spoken to me on a day when I have chosen to fast. In the Christian faith, you’re not always supposed to make a big deal about fasting; you can tell people, but you shouldn’t be getting attention, pity or any other response: fasting is a physical thing to bring about a spiritual thing.

My intention for writing this was to demystify fasting. It’s not crazy, nonsensical, or even impossible. I’ve fasted many times throughout my life, even while in school. Aside from the religious benefits fasting brings, another benefit is it simply teaches discipline, which everybody needs. It actually brings peace, before the hunger takes over and you become enraged at everyone and everything. Once it’s over, you feel more accomplished and more balanced.