Some Christians believe going without food for a spiritual reason is either foolish or just physical penance. The truth from God's Word shows fasting, going without food or water for a committed time, to be a powerful tool in a Christian's spiritual arsenal. Fasting is used to draw us closer to God, to seek His will, to seek answers to important questions, and is a means for us to honor and praise God. Fasting is important.

W. Fred Crow

Pastor, United Church of God

Fred Crow is an elder with United Church of God; pastor of the Eureka and San Jose, California congregations. After 34 years, Fred retired from the aerospace industry in 2015. He and his wife Sue have two daughters and eight grandchildren. On the side, he wrote a newspaper column, taught scuba diving, was a published cartoonist; and he is a writer, photographer, and traveler.