This bold claim summarizes our culture’s theme: “nobody tells me what to do.” It matches our cultural identity of independence from everyone and everything. Dependence and control under someone or something are seen as weakness. However, Jesus communicates the opposite message of this. “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus is not only our teacher and savior, but he is also our king and provider. Fasting is the physical confession of our need for, our dependence on, and our submission to Christ. As we fast, we seek:

Presence—Fasting connects our bodies with our beliefs. As we abstain from food, we offer our whole selves to God and seek more awareness of his presence.

Purity—“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). The practice of fasting guides us to be led less by the desires of our flesh and more by the desires of the Spirit.

Power—Fasting is a physical confession that we are dependent on the power, presence, love, control, etc. of God. We run to God with our prayers while fasting as a physical display that we trust in his power and provision over our own.

Perspective—As we await the return of Jesus, we live in a world still corrupt with sin, injustice, and poverty. When we fast, we physically stand with those who are in need and are led to act out justice.