I believe there is a real value in fasting, that few of us know much about. If, on particular
occasions which call for special individual prayer, we were to unite fasting with it, I have no doubt
the blessing of it would be felt Here there is humbling of spirit expressed. There are prayers which
are most suitably accompanied by standing, others by kneeling. Fasting is one of those things in
which the body shows its sympathy with what the spirit is passing through; it is a means of
expressing our desire to be low before God, and in the attitude of humiliation. But lest the flesh
should take advantage of even what is for the mortifying of the body, the Lord enjoins that there
should be means taken rather not to appear unto men to fast than to permit any display. For
although a true Christian would shrink from putting on false appearances, the devil will cheat him
into doing it unless he is very jealous in self-watchfulness before God. "Thou, when thou fastest,
anoint thine head and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father
which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matt.
6:17,18).