Asceticism: Fasting

In our last class, the topic of Asceticism was discussed in reference to the book, From Nature to Creation. Our class gave the definitions that follow: Asceticism means denying ones own flesh, it reminds me of a monk, and it is ethereal. The true definition of Asceticism is that it is a path that leads us in a Christ like way. Our society tells us that Asceticism is engaging in some sort of punishment. We see this definition in action, in the movie, The Da Vinci Code. There are different forms of Asceticism in the Bible. These consist of celibacy, fasting and weeping. 
The topic that I desire to focus on for the remainder of this blog is fasting. Fasting is not hatred of the body. Fasting is not punishment. Fasting is not torture. Fasting is intended to draw you closer to God. It allows His people to realize that God is our true strength. We see an example of the goal of fasting in 1 Corinthians 7:5. This verse says,  "Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." When one is fasting and relying on the Lord, prayer should be the focus. When you are refraining from bread of this world, we are supposed to feast on the true bread. Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Fasting is a reliance on the word and the relationship that one has with the Father.