Religious observances are practices that are performed in order to show devotion to a particular faith. RITES are ceremonies or rituals that are performed as part of a religious practice, such as baptism or marriage. Fasts are periods of time when individuals abstain from certain activities, such as eating, in order to focus on spiritual matters. Sabbaths are days of rest and worship that are observed by some religions. All of these religious observances are important components of many faiths.