Fasting

16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-18

The dictionary defines fasting as: “To eat very little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious discipline.” The whole idea of fasting is to give up food for a particular period of time in order that you can eliminate the distraction of food and participate in a form of self-sacrifice in order that you can focus better on your relationship with God and can communicate with Him in prayer and can hear His Spirit speaking to your heart and mind. The idea is not to focus on the food that you have given up, but instead to focus on what God would want to teach you during that time. Similarly, the intent is not to gain worldly recognition as the hypocrites did back in the time of Jesus by letting everyone know how spiritual you are by making such a sacrifice but rather to keep the act between you and your Father as your reward for wanting to spend time with Him and for taking such a dramatic step of obedience will be through your interaction with our Creator and Friend. Consider making such a sacrifice today.