Advent is a time to fast and pray

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I think its up to the individual. If your going to fast keep it simple, don’t make it a compition with yourself. If you must do something very restrictive, get advice from a spiritual director. And don’t forget its a good thing to give a person a smile.
 
There are many ways to fast. I read before that the “best” fast is a bread and water one. That said, I’ve tried it and became very ill. Just the whole fasting thing is pure penance for me! I get quite ill. I think penance (fasting included) is very important, and in prayer I’ve “offered myself” on a loved ones behalf to help ease their suffering. But I am a stay at home mom, and if I fast to the point that I feel sick and cannot attend to my primary ministry of mother and wife, then I am not doing a lot of good. But you may be okay with that- my husband does it and usually atttends mass on that day as well.
Fasting is a form of penance and you could also do penance by giving up something you love or eating something you DON’T! (I think that would go over real well with little kids!)
 
Continue your fasting, my friend, so long as it draws you closer to God. I fast from midnight till the Eucharist the following day, sometimes morning and sometimes noon. I feel that the hunger that I incur reminds me to keep God in my heart.

In regards to prayer, Jesus Himself manifests the path to the kingdom: “The kingdom will grow insofar as every person learns to turn to God in the intimacy of prayer as to a Father” (cf. Lk. 11:3; Mt. 23:9).

Notworthy
 
Read Is. 58 to see what kind of fast God desires. Great food for thought and it’s only two pages.
 
Advent is a great time to perform extra mortifications.

One good practice is to not eat in between meals. That is in itself a fast (and sacrifice, especially if you love food) and it does require great perserverance!

You could also just make little sacrifices. Say for eg. if you usually have sugar in your tea or coffee, then omit it, if you usually have ketchup (tomato sauce) with your meal, choose not to have it.

Remember Advent is a time of fasting, but it is not as strict as Lent.

Also, Advent is a time of making some alms - works of mercy, works of charity etc.

I would certainly ask advice of my priest if I was not sure what to do. Remember, if you do fast, don’t tell people about it, as God will reward you.

Remember,
But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand is doing
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And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face. That thou appear not to men to fast but to thy Father who is in secret : and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.
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