And why do we fast? Fasting in his truest form is simply to abstain from food, and perhaps even water for a short time. We can go much longer without food then we can water. In the Old Testament the only commanded fast was on the day of atonement in the New Testament Jesus taught us fasting is a lifestyle. In Mark chapter 9; when Jesus was coming off the Mount of Transfiguration, and the disciples could not cast the devil out of the young boy Jesus taught us that this work comes only about by prayer and fasting. He was not referring to stopping to fast before we pray, but rather living a life of fasting in which the flesh is subject to the spirit not vice versa. In our lives as Christians there are two forces at work the flesh and the spirit. I learned a long time ago that the one I feed will be the strongest. It would do all of us well to fast at least one day a week; fasting subdues, and crucifies the flesh. Fasting does not force God to do things our way, but will bring us into alignment with his will to accomplish his purpose.
