What is fasting in Christian context?

Biblicially, fasting is the abstainance from food, drink or sleep to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specificall, we humbly deny the flesh to seek God and to go deeper in our prayer life.

It isn't a form of duty, however, it is recommended as part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records belilevers fasting before making important decisions. (Acts 13:3-4; Acts 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together. (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Many a times, our attention may be on the lack of food but this is never the purpose of fasting. Instead, it should be a time where we take our eyes off the things of this world and focus on God.

Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him. There are also other ways to fast, not just from food. Anything that you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast.

Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves of food or something else of the flesh - it is a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we have a glimpse of what a "true fast" is. It is not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it is a lifestyle of servant minstry to others. Fasting encourages humility, lossens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This isn't a one day thing- it is about a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.