More than we may readily admit to, our physical condition impacts our spiritual and emotional health. The Daniel Fast is a tool which leads the reader to a thoughtful and well-planned blend of body-to-spirit awareness designed with a spiritual purpose in mind. Scripture references highlight different spiritual disciplines that require adhering to and purposed endeavor. One of these, the discipline of fasting, is often mentioned. Depending on one’s background, the person may have participated in fasting or they may not have.
This is a whole new opportunity to facilitate growth in the inner person through denying self of certain foods and drinks. Susan Gregory offers this book as a guide for a form of partial “fasting,” a fast that allows the foods eaten by Daniel and the three Hebrew boys during their initial period of Babylonian captivity. For spiritual reasons, these young men refused to eat the King’s food and drink. Instead, they drank water and ate pulse, any seed-bearing food (vegetables, fruits, and grains). They fared very well.
As Gregory explains, a true “fast” is a relationship of denying food or drink for the purpose of a spiritual goal. The Daniel Fast incorporates devotionals, biblical background, a food list, and recipes. It is easy to read but serious in intent. My church ladies have participated in the Daniel Fast two times and are eager to do it again. They also purchased the workbook which works well as a compliment study. This is an excellent group activity. We saw much improvement in our physical health during the fast and also noticed a sharpness in our spiritual side as we completed the study.
