What do we expect from fasting?

One of the misconceptions about fasting is the idea that the more fasting periods we engage in, the holier we become. This implies the idea of a “logbook”, where we write down how many fasting periods we have engaged in and how many prayers and church services we have done. This is a very non-Christian way of thinking, namely that God is obligated to reward us for our actions.

The Desert Fathers have explained this very clearly. Abba Isidore the Priest (450 AD) explained this saying:

“If you fast regularly, do not be inflated with pride; if you think highly of yourself because of it, then you had better eat meat. It is better for a man to eat meat than to be inflated with pride and glorify himself” (Ward, Benedicta, and Metropolitan Anthony. The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection. Liturgical Press, 1984, p. 106)

and Abba Macarius of Egypt (391 AD) said:

“This is the mark of Christianity: however much a man toils, and however many righteous deeds he performs, to feel that he has done nothing, and in fasting to say, “This is not fasting,” and in praying, “This is not prayer,” and in perseverance at prayer, “I have shown no perseverance. I am only just beginning to practice and to take pains”; and even if he is righteous before God, he should say, “I am not righteous, not I; I do not take pains, but only make a beginning every day” (Macarius the Great. Homily 26)

We fast not to get rewarded by God, but rather to become closer to Him relationally and thereby enjoy His presence. This idea is also discussed in the Book of Isaiah, which says:

“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, on the day of your fast you find pleasure and exploit all your labourers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness.

You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:3-7).

Fasting only counts in the eyes of God if one does it sincerely, with humility, and to come closer to God.