I was reading a blog the day after Memorial Day weekend.  A woman said she was going to fast for 72 hours and had set that as a goal.  She was disappointed in herself for only making it half way.  I have thought about her for a couple of days. I wondered if she had fasted before, and if it was an offering or sacrifice before God or a test of her own will power.  I'm not passing judgement on either effort. Fasting is an interesting study.  I think it is an important discipline for those who wish to draw close into the presence of God.  I keep reading studies that say it is a healthy thing for our bodies.  I know it is healthy for the spirit. One thing I want to share is from a spiritual perspective, fasting isn't just about going without eating.  Sometimes I see writings where people just try to stop eating all the time but they don't talk about the purpose other than to lose weight.  That leads me to believe fasting is misunderstood. In the bible, people fast at numerous times during the year, but it is usually associated with prayer, and overcoming something that is more than we can handle in day to day living. For several religions, it is just part of the seasons and cycles of life.  It is not to be like children stamping our feet and holding our breath to get our way, but it is a mystical and powerful dimension to prayer that seems to "supercharge" the prayer. We should explore the facets of fasting and prayer together, and as always encourage and support those who wish to grow in their prayer life. Erin