Isaiah 58:6 (a) The description given in this passage reveals that true fasting is not necessarily abstaining from food. The abstaining from food in itself evidently has little, if any, value in GOD's sight. It is the leaving of the duty of preparing and eating the meal, so that there may be time for serving others, for prayer for others, and for enriching the soul from GOD's Word. Several hours a day are consumed in preparing and eating meals. That time may well be used once in a while for more profitable service and devotion. From five to seven hours a day are consumed in preparing meals, eating them, and in cleaning up after them. Fasting eliminates the loss of that time, so that the person may devote himself fully to the things of GOD, both for his own blessing, and the blessing of others. (See Matthew 6:17; Mark 2:19; Luke 18:12; Acts 13:2).