Pope Shenouda III
Some think that fasting only is associated with food without God being a party to it.
All their cares while fasting is; How long is the period of abstinence? When shall they eat? How can they lengthen the period of their abstinence? What will they eat? How can they keep themselves away from certain kinds of food? How can they fast for days? It appears as if fasting concerns two parties only: them and their food, or them and the body, without God being party to the fast in any way!! Is this a correct fast?!
Fasting is not a mere a bodily deed. Rather it is communion with God. A fast that does not have God in it is no fast at all.