What is the meaning of fasting to you?

fasting is love and sacrifice. I fast so that I may have something to save for others.

You can fast from anything but most of the fasting the bible talks about is from food. The purpose is to make the body week, to make the spirit strong. The bible doesn't say if you fast, It Say's when you fast, so this is something God expects us to do.

Also when you fast it's not just about not eating (that would be no more than a diet) You should be in Prayer,Meditation and studying Gods word. The Bible also Say's not to boast about it or don't let it show on your face.

To fast is not the important issue or what you fast from. Fasting should be done in such a way that no one knows you are doing so. It is one way of getting closer to God by denying the flesh substances such as food or water. If we can find ways of denying the flesh the world and evil then we can get closer to God. Fasting is one way of doing this. When Jesus was tempted for 40 days temptation became stronger and the spirit became weaker, it is worth noting that fasting is one of the more difficult ways in seeking God. Try prayer, the more time we give to God the more time he will have for us.

To me fasting is to discrimate against the ego that is only concerned with the needs of self, to lavish the body and make it more vital than the soul, when we fasy we stop this to a large degree and allow the soul to grow and to be fed on prayer and therefore open it to God`s graces.

While it is good to fast from foods it is even better to fast from bad habits as well, so I would fast on bread and water which are the two mainstays of life,while trying to come away from habitual sin.

I generally fast from everything but anyway. Fasting is not for losing weight and you're forbidden to let everyone know what you're doing. The meaning of fasting is to humiliate your body and through a lot off praying you also humiliate the soul so it can be ready to receive the Holy Easter. Everything I wrote is according to the Christian Orthodox tradition.

Fasting is different from dieting, skipping meals, anorexia..for fasting is abstinence. fasting is self-restraint from the things that we like. Fasting is like eating the words, the holy words instead of food that we choose. Fasting is the time we will talk to God, time when we will have a one-on-one talk with God. For me fasting is never done by saying "I am fasting" but putting it in to action..

To me fasting is a way to get closer to your inner self by not focusing on your worldly desires. In this way you are less distracted by worldly appetites. The main appetites which impede spiritual progress are excess in food, sleep, sexual activity and allowing ones eyes to look at anything one desires and ones tongue to say whatever one desires.

Fasting in Islam aims to curb all of these and more as a training so the devoted practitioner can learn to control these better even when not fasting. Unfortunately it seems most people do not practice fasting as it is meant to be done including myself.

Fasting was a practice of all the Messengers of God and is one which all devoted believers in God should use in order to protect themselves from getting lost in the sea of materialism and desires which our modern societies attract us towards.

Allah says in the Quran the meaning in English is something like - "Fasting has been prescribed on you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may attain God consciousness."

When one is God conscious one takes care in acting in a way which is pleasing to God at all times.

Fasting is a shield between us and the disobedience of God.

Fasting is when you abstain from food, drink, or an activity to spend more time seeking the presence of God. Fasting to be successful should be done according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Not eating food...just drinking water. But, it can just be a personal challenge... Say like in the religion most of the time it is food to cleanse your body of impurities and drink water. Other personal times it is to prove to yourself you are able to give up something to gain something else. Like giving up smoking for a day...or however long. Not eating sweets. Not yelling at your parents...etc.

Fasting to me, is about my dedication and love to Allah as a show of piety.

It is also about self discipline.