Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and a prime opportunity to look at the ancient practice of fasting for a deeper understanding of our Christian faith.
On this latest Connecting Faith, we welcome back author and bible teacher Susan Gregory to talk about . We learn how to feed our souls, strengthen our spirits, and renew our bodies through fasting and prayer. Here’s where this intriguing conversation takes us:
Just what is The Daniel Fast? Susan explains this partial fast, based on the book of Daniel and his experiences during the Babylonian captivity of Israel.
“The number one purpose in fasting is to draw us closer to God.”
People use the term “fast” in a number of ways, but what are the distinguishing characteristics of a fast? Can the term apply to every time we abstain from something? Susan says if you enter a fast yet you’re still “feeding the flesh”, then you may be missing the heart of this journey. The primary source of sustenance for us should be God and His Word.
When we’re looking at the health benefits of fasting are we missing the point? Isn’t this intended to be a spiritual experience? We look at the layers of impact a fast can have – on our bodies, souls and spirits. Susan shares the average attention span: 9 seconds, and notes that fasting can be an intentional time to focus on listening to God and being quieter ourselves.
So how can we prepare for a fast – especially considering all those fasting for Lent?
We go back to the beginning of this for Susan, asking about her first fast and why she did it.
So much has been written about Daniel’s life. What can we learn from his famous fast? And from his lifestyle in a wider sense?
What are the most common questions that Susan receives regarding The Daniel Fast?
