62-6. On days of fasting, the minister should point out the authority and providences calling for the observance; and he should spend more than the usual time in solemn prayer, particular confession of sin, especially for the sins of the day and place; and the whole day should be spent in prayer and meditation.

DIGEST : The current text remains unchanged from PCA 1973, with this exact wording dating to PCUS 1929, while a closely similar text has its origin with the first approved PCUS edition of the Directory for Worship (1894).

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISON :
1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, DfW 16-6 [M1GA, Appendix, p. 161]
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed DfW text, 16-5, p. 76
3. PCUS 1933, XVI, §378
4. PCUS 1929, XVI, §378
On days of fasting, the minister should point out the authority and providences calling for the observance; and he should spend more than the usual time in solemn prayer, particular confession of sin, especially of the sins of the day and place; and the whole day should be spent in prayer and meditation.

1. PCUS 1927, XV–VII, §372
2. PCUS 1894, XV-7
On fast days, let the minister point out the authority and providences calling to the observance thereof; and let him spend a more than usual portion of time in solemn prayer, particular confession of sin, especially of the sins of the day and place, with their aggravations, which have brought down the judgments of heaven. And let the whole day be spent in deep humiliation and mourning before God.

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 454.
Here we have practical guidelines for calling for a day of fasting or thanksgiving. Enough notice should be given so that the regular affairs may be covered, and the appropriate services may be attended.