The way of the HYPOCRITES is to make FASTING a PUBLIC
MATTER, so as to GAIN REWARD FROM MEN (Matthew 6:16)
This was the way of the PROUD PHARISEE who BOASTED OF
HIMSELF (Luke 18:11-12) rather than the way of the HUMBLE PUBLICAN who APPEALED TO GOD'S MERCY
(Luke 18:13)
The BOASTER went away NOT JUSTIFIED and the APPEALER went
away JUSTIFIED (Luke 18:14)
The Hebrew word ("tzum") for FASTING literally
means "to COVER the MOUTH"
FASTING (PHYSICALLY NOT TAKING IN) is often seen in association
with PRAYING (SPIRITUALLY POURING OUT) - the PHYSICAL POURING OUT OF WATER during the TIME OF FASTING (I Samuel 7:6)
visually pictured the SPIRITUALLY POURING OUT OF THE HEART IN PRAYER (Lamentations 2:19):
Daniel FASTED and PRAYED when CONFESSING and OWNING the
sins of his nation (Daniel 9:3-6)
Paul and Barnabas FASTED and PRAYED when COMMENDING the
disciples to the Lord (Acts 14:19-23)
Husband and wife when apart are encouraged to FAST and
PRAY concerning their being rejoined together in FELLOWSHIP (I Corinthians 7:3-5)