Fasting for self-praise

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III

Fasting for self-praise. It intentionally revealed and exposed for others to see and praise it. About this type of fast, the Lord said in His Sermon of the Mount, “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, "so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matt 6:16-18).
A fast to gain praise from others is not for God who has nothing to do with it. This it is a rejected fast.