Fasting For What

Fasting For What?
I’ve always seen fasting as the giving up of something e.g. food or some pleasurable delights for the purpose of committing to prayer and meditation. I had my perspective changed recently.
No doubt, I still consider it to be a “giving up” but it’s not complete without a “taking in”.
All our spiritual disciplines have one aim, to bring us into the image of God. Fasting as a spiritual discipline means little if we do not become who we fast for.
I read the words of Jesus “This does not go out except by prayer and fasting” and the questions formed…what comes in?
Fasting or prayer are not complete as a spiritual disciplines if they are no more than a denial of something without taking up something.
Fasting should raise our affections for God and all He is. If by fasting, we do not become more as He is by understanding His heart and His love, we paint a false image of who God is.
God is then no more than a task master who doles out small favours when we subject ourselves to a rigorous regime of self-denial.
Fasting is beautiful season to pursue intimacy with God. We must become first as He is before we can decree as He wants. God must first be revealed in us before He can be accurately revealed through us