What's the importance of Fasting? What's the importance of Fasting? I've felt compelled at times to fast, but I'm not quite sure what the purpose is. I went online and found that it's very healthy for your body, it's something that a lot of secular people do as well as spiritual.

But I'm not quite sure that I fully understand the spiritual reasons for fasting. Does anybody have any insight into this?
Biblical teaching and accounts

Isaiah 58:3-11 taught the Isrealites of their false motives to fast, clarified some of the best reasons for fasting and listed both physical and spiritual benefits that would result.

Jesus himself teaches fasting in private in Matthew 6:16-18 and that you'll be rewarded by God.

Jesus was questioned in Mark 2:18-21.

Other instances of fasting in the Bible are Moses, David, and others