Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. This is another opportunity to come to God for guidance and face our individual challenges and our corporate challenges. This helps us to stay more focused on being in one accord in unity in the body of Christ. Remember that Jesus is our pattern and that He has already won the victory for us. We are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices and not to crawl off the altar in disobedience. Turning our plates over is not easy and so it is hard to crucify the flesh. When we offer God our whole selves, it is our sacrifice, AND our ‘promise to come!’ Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

According to Webster's Dictionary, unity is the state of being one, oneness. Unity may consist of a simple substance or existing being, such as the soul; but usually, it consists of a close junction of particles or parts, constituting a body detached from other bodies. Unity is a thing undivided by itself but separates from every other thing. Thus, this fast represents our individual and corporately giving of our best and our sacrifice to God during the Lent season to establish this pattern throughout the year and years to come.