Our own abilities

“One of the most beautiful encounters in the Gospel takes place between Jesus and Peter on the occasion when Jesus walks on the water. Peter, sitting in the boat, shouts out into the darkness: “‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’  So, He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:28-31). Peter relies on Jesus when he initially climbs out of the boat, and again when Jesus catches him at the end of the story. It is only in the middle, when he realizes what he is doing, that he relies on his own abilities, and starts to sink.”

(Fr. Meletios Webber, Steps of Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps, pg 124)

Fasting is mentioned …

In the Old Testament:

” … and they fasted that day, …” 1 Sam 7:6
” … and they mourned and wept and fasted until evening.” 2 Sam 1:12
” … and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” 2 Chron 20:3
” … Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava.” Ezra 8:21
” … I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Nehem 1:4
” … the children of Israel were assembled with fasting.” Nehem 9:1

My knees are weak through fasting (Psalm 109:24)
” … So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast.” Jonah 3:5
” … Blow the trumpet in Zion Consecrate a fast Call a sacred assembly.” Joel 2:15
” … When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months …” Zech 7:5
” … Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth …” Zech 8:19

In the New Testament

” … And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards He was hungry.” Matt 4:2
” … Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, …” Matt 6:16
” … But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matt 9:14-15
” … Then, having fasted and prayed…” Acts 13:2-3
” … and prayed with fasting, they commanded them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23
” … that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer…” 1 Cor 7:5

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The most important commandments

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

—Mark 12:28-34