What does the Bible say about fasting and worship?

In Zechariah 7, God questions the motives behind the fasting of His people, asking if they were fasting for Him at all. Their rituals had become mere formalities, lacking genuine heart and devotion. True worship, as God desires, must come from a heart that seeks to honor Him rather than seeking personal glory. This reflects a significant principle throughout Scripture that worship is not about the acts themselves but about the heart's attitude toward God. Authentic worship is characterized by sincerity and a desire to glorify God above oneself.