From New Guinea to New York, within Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism (the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur), Islam (Ramadan), and Christianity, fasting is an activity carried out among religions all over the world. But, what is the difference between Christian fasting and fasting in other religions? And what exactly is Christian fasting all about – why should we fast, how should we fast? Firstly, fasting is not to be feared. It can be a real blessing in disguise, if we approach it the right way. We should not focus on the absence of food (or whatever else we are fasting from), but focus instead on God. Fasting is to remove distractions, often good distractions, to focus ourselves on the Lord God. Jesus expects us to fast, with the point being that we will draw closer to him (Matthew 9:14-15). Fasting is not to become righteous before God, as a form of good works that merit God’s acceptance (Eph. 2:8-9). But for those who have trusted in the only mediator between God and people, Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5-6), and who have known the blessing of a new relationship with God the Father (Romans 8:15-16), fasting is a way of drawing closer to God, as we temporarily find less pleasure in the good things that come from God, as we look forward to going to be with him. Fast forward!