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Susan Gregory ("The Daniel Fast Blogger") regularly corresponds with thousands of men and women who are seeking God through the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting. Since its launch in December 2007, her website has received nearly 14 million visits, and Susan has corresponded with tens of thousands of people throughout the world. She has a passion to help followers of Jesus Christ from all cultures integrate their faith into every part of their lives. Her work has taken her to more than thirty-five countries. She is also the author of Out of the Rat Race and The Daniel Cure (with Richard J. Bloomer, PhD). A mother and grandmother, Susan lives in a small college town in central Washington. Visit her at www.daniel-fast.com.

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“sometimes you are so hungry that the only way you can be fed is to fast.” Susan Gregory <br><b>Are you hungry for more of God in your life?</b> Discover why millions of men and women throughout the world are rediscovering the ancient discipline of fasting—and, as a result, are encountering God in amazing ways. <br>In this authoritative guide, Susan Gregory, <b>“The Daniel Fast Blogger”</b> and an acknowledged expert on the popular partial fast inspired by the biblical book of Daniel, guides readers toward a successful fasting experience. Join Susan as she shares the secrets to: <ul><li>Fasting in a safe and healthy way</li><li>Following the 21-day plan to physical and spiritual health (adaptable for a fast of any length)</li><li>Creating healthy meals using Daniel Fast foods </li><li>Participating in a group fast with your church, family, or friends </li><li>Learning how to hear from God and discover His purpose for your life </li></ul>Susan also offers recipes and devotionals for each day of a 21-day fast, and a FAQs section for those seeking quick answers. As she walks you through each step of the Daniel Fast, you’ll discover an infinitely richer and more abundant life. <br>Susan Gregory, “The Daniel Fast Blogger,” launched the Daniel Fast blog and Web site in December 2007. Since then, her site has received millions of hits. Susan is passionate to see individuals experience a successful Daniel Fast as they seek God and endeavor to grow in the love and knowledge of Christ. Author of <i>Out of the Rat Race</i>, Susan has written for nationally known ministries and her work has taken her to more than thirty-five countries. A mother and grandmother, she lives on a small farm in Washington State. Visit her online at www.daniel-fast.com.

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THE daniel fast

TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC.

Contents

Before You Begin....................................................................xiPART 1..............................................................................3Chapter 1: Who Is the Daniel Fast Blogger?..........................................9Chapter 2: Dusting Off an Ancient Spiritual Discipline..............................21Chapter 3: Daniel-Determined to Live for God in Enemy Territory.....................31Chapter 4: The Daniel Fast for Body, Soul, and Spirit...............................55PART 2..............................................................................99The Daniel Fast Food List...........................................................105Daniel Fast Recipes.................................................................205Daniel Fast Menus...................................................................211Twenty-One-Day Daniel Fast Devotional...............................................257Frequently Asked Questions..........................................................263Acknowledgments.....................................................................265Notes...............................................................................267

Chapter One

First of all, I'm not a preacher or a Bible teacher or a huge ministry leader. I am an ordinary woman whose life has been dramatically changed by stepping into a deeply personal day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ. I've learned from my own experience and the experiences of others that we have a choice about how to live our lives. Jesus instructs us to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (His way of doing things). God told His people that He has set before us life and death, blessings and curses, and He instructs us to choose life so that both we and our descendants may live. The choice is ours. And it's a choice with benefits that go beyond spending eternity with God. Thankfully, we can choose to have a dynamic, powerful, and purposeful life right here on earth and accomplish great things for God.

Every morning I make the choice to live a faith-driven life. I try to make every word I say and every action I take line up with the Word of God. Do I sound radical? Well, maybe I am, compared to a lot of people. I am radically alive with Christ, and the more I focus my thoughts, activities, resources, and future on Him, the more exciting and at peace my life becomes.

I accepted Christ as a young woman and spent the next several decades participating in the typical activities of family, work, church, and social life. There were some great ups with family, motherhood, friendships, and achievements. And there were also some really tough downs, including an unwanted divorce and a long-term chronic illness. But I made it through those times with my mind and body still intact.

However, it wasn't until 2007 that I really started learning what living a life of faith is about. I was going through some really tough life experiences. It was the very beginning of the recession. My real estate investing business collapsed under the mortgage industry debacle and my finances were in shambles. I had no idea what I was going to do to even survive! Perhaps you've gone through that dark wilderness where hope seems so far away and relief seems out of sight. The pressure was on, and I felt utterly alone.

But I wasn't alone. I soon discovered the Bible's truth that Jesus will never leave us and will never forsake us. I learned that when we draw near to God He will draw near to us. I made a quality decision to believe everything in the Bible. I decided in advance that if doubt or fear reared their ugly heads, those would serve as signals that I needed to pursue more of the love and knowledge of Christ. Oh, He is so faithful! I set my mind on trusting God and His Word. I would get up every morning and spend hours studying faith and prayer. I wrote in my journal. I read books by well-respected and proven Bible teachers and preachers, spent hours talking with my Father, and proclaimed the truths and promises He made to His children.

It didn't happen overnight. It was like a big ship turning around-degree by degree, my doubt turned into faith and my fear turned into hope. I truly knew what it felt like to have the joy of the Lord as my strength. And through this process, my Father led me out of the wilderness and into His glorious light. The broken areas of my life began to heal, and as I purposed to build every part of my life on the Word of God, I entered into a life of stability, peace, and rest like I had never known before.

Part of this process was the Lord returning me to Christian writing. One day I was sitting on the couch in my living room. I wasn't meditating or praying or doing anything very "spiritual." I was just sitting. That's when I heard God's still, small voice in my spirit, Start writing about the Daniel Fast.

That seemed like an interesting idea. I had practiced fasting for many years and was actually preparing to start a twenty-one-day Daniel Fast at the beginning of the New Year, which was just a couple of weeks away. I also had experience as a writer, although I had not written professionally for more than ten years. I searched the Internet and learned there wasn't a lot of information available about the Daniel Fast. Maybe there were others who needed to know more about this fast, and maybe I could help meet that need.

I knew from my own experience that many people begin the New Year with prayer and fasting. Since the start date was fast approaching, I had to get the information out quickly. I decided to write a blog titled "The Daniel Fast. Soon I had pages and pages of good information posted about the Daniel Fast, and it didn't take long until people started entering comments and asking questions on the blog. I replied to each one, and the comments and questions increased as the New Year approached.

After a few days, I quickly saw that the number one need of the people visiting the blog was recipes. So I scoured through my own recipe collection and began to adjust some to fit the Daniel Fast guidelines and make them available on my blog. This is when I could see God's plan unfold. Visitors to the blog were ecstatic to have the information they needed for a successful Daniel Fast, and I was launched into a whole new line of work. I could see that my loving Father had led me back into Christian writing for a sure purpose. Plus-and this is the big part-what I thought was merely a writing assignment, God meant for a lay ministry where I would meet the growing needs of His people.

Today, the blog has received more than 1.5 million hits, and I've been able to minister to thousands of men, women, and young people. I call myself the Daniel Fast blogger, but in reality, the title doesn't matter. I have experienced the grace of God in my life. My greatest ministry desire is to help men, women, and young people to learn to trust God and His Word more than anything.

Through this process, God has opened my heart to brothers and sisters in the body of Christ as they search for answers and practical instructions about this fasting practice. My great blessing is to serve God by serving His people. Many of the letters I receive from people bring me to tears as...