JENNY ~ I decided to read up a bit and pray about this topic before answering, but I knew that GARY would reply to you and in the way he did as he always is very helpful with these kinds of things. I know people that do fast, but it is a limited fast for spiritual and health reasons combined (their explanation) -- they do a juice and soup fast (and maybe water too, I think): so that they get some health benefits but don't want to harm their bodies. They do this on the same day each week.
Some people fast for only one meal; OR for the daytime only, and as soon as sundown comes, they then have a balanced meal. I have seen this often (ie in our town), esp with those trying to raise funds for important issues of concern. I suppose there are different traditions and opinions concerning this subject.
I checked out several bible passages but really couldn't find any that actually explained WHY people fasted, just that they did (and it seemed to be some kind of tradition), as was already stated above. I do recall that Jesus said not to make a big show of your fasting, and if you did it, do it privately (Mattew 6:17/18).
Of course, then there are those that fast for health reasons only and you probably found out about them through your search on the net. I have even heard of fruit fasts (ie having fruit for the morning only) and then continuing the rest of the day as per usual.
Actually, this is one of those questions that there does seem to be lots of questions about -- myself included ... I have always wondered why people fasted and what the spiritual significance was. I thought that maybe it was a show of a "shared sacrifice" to GOD; maybe sharing in Christ's sufferings by sacrificing a physcial need for a limited time (1 Corinth 7:5) to show GOD how sincere you are about your prayer life (Acts 14: 23) -- but like GARY already said, I don't think it is a requirement. Whenever I do lots of prayers, I don't stop to go for a meal: I just set aside a special time between them or in the evening.
Also, Christ fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness as a "test of temptation", if I am interpreting that correctly. He passed the test and used scriptures to combat all the temptations thrown at him. That is why I spend some of my time memorizing scriptures as in Psalm 119:11 "Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee."
The disciples did not fast (Matthew 9:14) -- but the Pharisees did (tradition?), and Jesus was asked why; and He replied that it would be like mourning Him while He was still here, but that when He was gone, they would fast. So I am wondering if it was a sign of angst or the depth of sorrow or desire or earnestness (such a word?
).
In the end, I think that this is purely a personal choice -- some people fast and some don't; to each his own. I think it is nice to spend some time alone in prayer and reading the Word; and some people may want to dedicate an hour or a morning or a day to that, as they wish. Some people do this as a learning or growing experience as well.
Hope this is helpful in some small way ... Rosebud