By Deacon Michel Bickerstaff, Integrated Catholic - Fasting and other forms of self-denial, as spiritual practices of materially subduing and controlling the physical appetites of the body, help us, by God’s grace, to enable the soul to more perfectly and freely pray. This leads to a deeper union with God and thus we become better stewards of the gifts God has given to us, freeing us to more effectively care for our neighbor, especially those in greater need than we. Thus, we have the connection between prayer, fasting and almsgiving—the three pillars of Lent.