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These verses suggest that we, as followers of Jesus, will fast. Jesus does not say, ‘if you fast,’ but rather He says, ‘when you fast.’ It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that those who are led by His Spirit will fast periodically. He also suggests that the details of that fast should not be used to elevate oneself through displays of self-denial. The weakness of our character as human beings is always vulnerable to pride and/or condemnation when we start comparing ourselves.
Let's not miss the endgame of this verse: your Father in heaven loves to reward you when you fast with a pure heart. Fasting in the scriptures typically refers to refraining from eating for a period of time. Its purpose is to narrow our focus on spiritual things. Missing a meal is also a good way to create some extra time for praying. The scriptures encourage us to look forward to our reward as we have set our hearts to pray and fast. So, as we create this extra space for God to work in our lives, let’s raise our expectations for something wonderful to happen.
