In The Sermon on the Mount, after talking about giving and praying, Jesus gave His followers instructions on what and what not to do when they fasted. This implies that fasting is as much an element of walking with God as giving and praying. This makes sense, because the purpose of all three actions is the same: Draw closer to God so that we might know His will and glorify Him. Please open your Bible to Matthew chapter six, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola begins his discussion of verses sixteen through eighteen.