If you’ve never done it before, fasting can be a really powerful practice to help you focus on something in particular. Vanessa says that she fasts to help communicate to God that she is really serious about what she is praying for. I like that. Here are some more ideas:

Use the time you would spend eating to pray. Also, use your hunger pains during the day as reminders to pray.

If you’ve never done it before or if you have a family, it may be wise to fast for one or two meals during the day.

If for health reasons you cannot fast from food, consider fasting from something else, like TV or Facebook.

Use common sense. When I fast, I normally drink a single cup of coffee in the morning and another in the afternoon (a huge cutback for me!). I do this so that my fast is not overcome by the caffeine headache. I also drink a lot of water when I am fasting.

To heighten your awareness, combine your fast. For instance, when I fast from food, I also fast from the radio in the car. I use that time that would normally be distracted with noise to concentrate on prayer.