The intent of a fast is to dedicate our time to FATHER. FATHER spoke in Isaiah chapter 58:
1 “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God.
The people had sinned and rebelled against Our Heavenly Father and yet they acted as though they were walking in righteousness. They asked why their fast seemed fruitless and FATHER answered them:
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.
4 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.”
The people satisfied their selfish desires, they continued to work, they quarreled among themselves, even turning into fistfights. In essence, their flesh guided their actions instead of them bringing their flesh into submission. If you fast to exalt yourself above others, then FATHER will not “take notice”.
Jesus spoke in Mark 1:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” In effect He said, “Do what I do and you will become like Me.”
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Notice that Jesus did not use the phrase “if you fast” therefore He did not consider fasting as an optional activity. Additionally, we should not bring any attention to our fasting else our ego will rise up rather than coming into full subjection. Jesus affirms to us that fasting has a reward from FATHER and that in itself ought to encourage each of us to fast!