upwardjourney.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/private-fast/
Fasting is one of the most uncommon practices of all the spiritual disciplines. When thinking of a fast it conjures up ideas of sackcloth and ashes, yet Jesus paints a different picture. He instructs us to fast in such a way others will not know we are fasting. We are to place “oil on our heads and wash our face”. No one will know of the fast except our heavenly Father. Fasting prepares us to listen and our heavenly Father will respond to our pleading.

Matthew 6:16-18