Fasting, what is it and why should i practice it?

​Fasting: What is it, and why should I practice it?
                First things first, nowhere in the New Testament are we commanded to fast. God does not require of it or demand it from us. At the same time the bible describes is as something profitable, beneficial, and good. In the same way that my car will continue to run if I don’t wash or vacuum it, it will be a more pleasurable experience driving when it is clean and vacuumed. It is not necessary for your salvation however it is extraordinarily profitable for you and your sanctification.
                So, what is fasting? Fasting in scripture is almost always in reference to abstaining from food for a short period of time and turning your attention and devotion during that period completely and totally to God. In its fullness fasting can be anything given up temporarily to focus all our attention on God.  (In first Corinthians 7 we see abstaining from sexual relations with your partner is a type of fast.)
                Fasting should be planned as a limited set time. Too much time without food can be detrimental to your health. Fasting is not about punishing your flesh or your body. It is meant as a time to redirect your focus on God.
                David Mathis explains in his article “Fasting for Beginners” That, “We fast in this life because we believe in the life to come. We don’t have to get it all here and now, because we have a promise that we will have it all in the coming age. We fast from what we can see and taste, because we have tasted and seen the goodness of the invisible and infinite God — and are desperately hungry for more of him.”
                When we take our eyes off the things of this world and the desires of our flesh, we can more totally turn our focus to Christ. We do not fast because it will manipulate God into giving us what we want, because the act of fasting changes us and not God. We do not fast to appear to be more holy or spiritual than others. Fasting needs to be from a place of humility and with a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 says “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men 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.”
                Why do we fast? As mentioned before, we fast to turn all of our attention more completely to God. Its not a diet plan or some religious duty. It’s done from a place of recognizing the full sufficiency and supremacy of God.  The purpose of a biblical fast is to gain a deeper fellowship with God.
                Fasting is almost always linked to prayer. In the book of acts we see the believers prayed and fasted before they made any important decision. (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting is not about abstaining rather about drawing close in prayer and worship. It’s important to replace the time you would be eating or enjoying the things of this world with prayer and drawing closer. I am attaching a link to David Mathis’ article that will help you to start fasting!
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/fasting-for-beginners
Blessings In Christ
Pastor Max.