Is fasting required for Christians?

No. God required the Israelites to fast on Atonement Day, but he eliminated that observance after Jesus permanently atoned for the sins of repentant people. (Hebrews 9:​24-​26; 1 Peter 3:​18) Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, of which Atonement Day was a part. (Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:​13, 14) Therefore, each Christian may decide for himself whether to fast.​—Romans 14:​1-4.

Christians recognize that fasting is not the focus of their worship. The Bible never associates fasting with happiness. In contrast, true Christian worship is marked by joy, reflecting the personality of Jehovah, “the happy God.”​—1 Timothy 1:​11; Ecclesiastes 3:​12, 13; Galatians 5:​22.

Misconception: Christians should fast when commemorating Jesus’ death.

Fact: Jesus did not command his disciples to fast when commemorating his death. (Luke 22:14-​18) While Jesus said that his disciples would fast when he died, he was not issuing a command but merely stating what was going to happen. (Matthew 9:​15) The Bible instructed Christians who were hungry to eat at home before observing the Memorial of Jesus’ death.​—1 Corinthians 11:33, 34.