Generally, fasting seasons are often seen as times of self-control and heightened piety. I recall an experience on a public bus where an offended woman, holding back her anger, remarked, “If not that I’m fasting, I’d have given your size.” It’s a reminder how everyone seems to adopt a form of godliness—carefully watching their words, actions, and even appetite, all in pursuit of a feeling of holiness. “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting” – Matt. 6:16.

Some fast to prove a point, “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get” – Lk. 18:9-10. I once heard the story of a man who fasted for a hundred days, tragically, he died on the final day of Refeeding Syndrome. I can’t help but imagine the devil cooperating with him during this period, pushing him beyond his elastic limits. Some think of fasting as ‘Affliction with Christ’ (2 Tim. 4:5). Well, that’s not true! It’s for our prosperity, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers” – 3 Jn. 1:2.

Imagine a year of 365 days of fasting, we’d witness an outstanding year of well-behaved Christians. But the purpose of fasting is to bring us to a fasted-life, Jesus said, “‘Whoever will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”. At this point, we’re not struggling to put our bodies under subjection, the spirit effortlessly takes governance.

He also said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” – Matt. 4:4. At this stage, we’re no longer praying for daily bread, but rather learning how to produce it.