Fasting on Fridays for Christians: Tradition or Faith?

Q. Should Christians fast on Fridays?

A. No need to. That is Catholic tradition, not Christian.

Shalom on this beautiful blessed day of preparation for the Sabbath. I humbly submit for review, consideration, and sharpening the topic: Should Christians fast on Fridays?

Matthias Matthew 9:15

“And Yahshua said to them, Are the friends of the bridegroom able to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days shall come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they shall fast.”

Markus Mark 2:20

“But the days shall come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast in those days.”

Lucas Luke 5:35

“But days shall come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they shall fast in those days.”

Christian Fasting and the Modern Context

We who walk in The Way, keeping the commands of The Most High and the faith of Yahshua HaMashiach, do not necessarily fast on the same day or on Friday. Now, the day of fasting, besides Yom Kippurim, can be any day. The topic of fasting is about food and not eating food, or eating food—it has nothing to do with the seventh-day Sabbath.

Is Daily Fasting for Christians Beneficial?

Some may argue that Christians should fast every day as a means to promote healthier spiritual practices. Fasting is indeed a way for believers to connect more deeply with God, focus on Him, and seek His guidance. However, the Bible’s3 scriptural texts above discourage a rigid adherence to fasting schedules, particularly for mourning and community.
Although fasting can be beneficial, the choice to fast should be based on personal conviction and not one-size-fits-all traditions.

Scriptural Considerations

Romans 14:5-8 emphasizes individual freedom in religious practices:

“One indeed judges one day above another, another judges every day alike. Let each one be completely persuaded in his own mind. He who minds the day, minds it to Yahweah. And he who does not mind the day to Yahweah, he does not mind it. He who eats, eats to Yahweah for he gives Elohim thanks. And he who does not eat, to Yahweah he does not eat and gives Yahweah thanks. For not one of us lives to himself and not one dies to himself. For both, if we live, we live unto the Master, and if we die, we die unto the Master. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Master’s.”

This passage supports the idea that each Christian has freedom to make personal decisions regarding fasting, based on their sense of conviction and faith.

Conclusion

Christian fasting, like many religious practices, is a matter of personal choice and should not be rigidly tied to specific days or rituals. The focus should be on the intention behind fasting, whether it is to seek closer communion with God, show gratitude, or bring greater awareness to one's spiritual life.

Scriptures Shared From:

The Scriptures 2009. Copyright 1993 - 2015 by the Institute for Scripture Research ISR. All rights reserved.

Note: This article reflects diverse perspectives of biblical fasting within Christian tradition and is intended to highlight freedom in religious practices based on individual spiritual beliefs.