And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18 ESV
Fasting is a matter of going without food for some period of time, from a few hours to many days. It may or may not include abstaining from drinking as well. And there are a variety of reasons why a person might choose to fast.
In the passage quoted above, Jesus refers to fasting, along with giving alms and prayer, as an act of piety, something I might do for God. He does not tell us why we should fast. But he does give us some instructions about the practice itself.
He starts by telling us not to fast like the hypocrites who make a big show of fasting, making sure everyone knows just how pious they are. This likely refers to the practice of the Pharisees fasting twice a week (Luke 18:11-12). As with giving alms and prayer, if it is done for others to see how godly you are, your only reward is their acclaim.
Instead, Jesus says, our fasting should be done in secret, and then our reward will come from God. This does not mean that fasting is always an individual act, though. Often in Scripture, we find groups who are fasting together. But even then, we should not put on an outward show.
But why fast? There is no explicit answer to that in Scripture. But when we look at the times we see people fasting, a pattern emerges. Often, it is in conjunction with an intense time of prayer (2 Sam. 12:16; Ezra 8:21; Acts 13:3; 14:13). A time when people are seeking God.
As Christians today, should we fast? We are not told that we should. But the discipline of fasting, when combined with prayer, can make us more attentive to hearing God as we seek his face. And Jesus’ final words on fasting indicate that the practice can have value—that God looks favorably on our fasting if done right.
