[Examples of biblical fasting]: 1. Fasting was practiced to avert God’s judgment and displeasure against His people (1 Sam. 7:6; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:5-8; Jud 20:26; 1 Ki. 21:9; Jer. 36:6, 9. 2. The people of God often fasted in preparation for war, with a view to seeking God’s protection and blessing (2 Chron. 20:1-4; Joel 2:15. 3. Fasting was one way of seeking God’s help for deliverance from personal troubles and opposition (1 Ki. 21:27-29). 4. Fasting was often an expression of sincere and heartfelt repentance from sin and humility before God (Neh. 9:1-2; Psm. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Joel 2:12-13; Jonah 3:5-8). 5. Fasting also signified or expressed mourning, sorrow, deep grief, and sadness (1 Sam. 20:34; 31:13; 2 Sam. 1:12; 12:15-23). 6. Ezra fasted as part of his request that God provide him with a safe journey (Ez. 8:21-23). 7. Fasting is a way of expressing one’s concern for the success of God’s work (Neh. 1:3-4; Dan. 9:3). 8. Fasting serves to humble and rebuke us as it reveals how much of our happiness depends on the external pleasures of eating (Psm. 69:10). 9. Fasting teaches us self-control and self-discipline (Phil. 3:19; Rom. 16:18; 1 Cor. 9:25-27).

Sam Storms

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
	Vegetarian	Dessert	12	Servings

INGREDIENTS

6	c	Apple juice -or- sugar and water
1	tb	Vanilla
3	c	Couscous
		SEE DIRECTIONS FOR VARIATIONS
1	pt	Blueberries; strawberries, raspberries

INSTRUCTIONS

From: ellen@brakes.elekta.com
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 15:00:08 -0400
Recipe By : FF MailList:Vegetarian Gourmet, 1992 (Dave Garland)
Pick over bb's, wash and set on paper towels to dry.  Combine apple juice,
vanilla, and couscous in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.  Cook,
stirring constantly until thickened & all juice absorbed. Remove from heat.
Gently fold the bb's into hot mix. Rinse but don't dry a 9x14 (inch) cake
pan & pour the mix into it. Chill until set, about 2 hours. Cut into
squares, and devour WITHOUT GUILT.
Notes on variations: Try Chinese sweet rice or A variation invented out of
desperation when I ran out of couscous was to use 1 c. McCann's noninstant
oatmeal (I think same as steel cut oats) + 2c. couscous. I liked it even
better this way!  Also different juices (I keep running out of stuff) mixed
in w/the apple juice makes it interesting. [Aiko Pinkoski]
Variations: Use strawberries in place of blueberries, top with unsweetened
fruit jam thinned with a little water, arrange fruit slices on top for
decoration.
Per serving: 2948 Calories; 6g Fat (2% calories from fat); 73g Protein;
643g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 117mg Sodium
NOTES : Use white couscous and real vanilla.  Double the blueberries, or
use at least 50% more.
Digest eat-lf.v096.n086
From the EAT-LF recipe list.  Downloaded from Glen's MM Recipe Archive,
http://www.erols.com/hosey.

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