THE DANIEL FAST
The fast is taken from Daniel 10:2-3, which says, “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
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IMPORTANT WARNING: IF YOU ARE A DIABETIC OR IF YOU ARE UNDER THE CARE OF A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING THE DANIEL FAST OR ANY CHANGE OF DIET.
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To participate in the Daniel Fast, eat no bread, no meat and no sweets for 21 days, as Daniel did. While on the fast, you may eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains (such as rice and pasta), legumes, nuts and seasonings. You may drink only water, eight - 8oz. glasses per day minimum.
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Please prayerfully consider taking part in the Daniel Fast, and see what new blessings and insights Jesus will bring into your life!
NOTE: The Daniel Fast originated with the prophet Daniel. The reason Daniel fasted was because of his devotion to God. The devotion came before the dietary restrictions, not the other way around.
Daniel records three times when he fasted, but he most likely did so more often. The first fast was recorded in Daniel 1. The food and wine the king wanted Daniel to eat had been offered to idols. However, he had already consecrated (set apart) his life to God. If he ate or drank these things, he would defile his body. So that’s why Daniel requested that he eat only vegetables (which actually included fruit) and drink only water.
Chapter 9 has the second recorded time of Daniel fasting when he was deeply distraught over the nation of Israel being in exile. Jeremiah had already prophesied that Israel would be set free after 70 years of captivity. The time had come, so Daniel prayed and fasted. This time, it was probably what is called a "norman fast" which means they only drank water (no food at all).
Chapter 10 has the third recorded time of Daniel fasting. He was concerned about a powerful dream he had received. The Scripture says he mourned for three weeks and ate no delicacies, no meat and drank no wine. This three week fast is the hub of the current day’s form of fasting commonly known as the Daniel Fast.
You can see that in all three instances, Daniel fasted for spiritual reasons. Once to stay pure before the Lord and two times to seek the Lord’s wisdom, direction and answers to prayer. Daniel didn’t fast because he was overweight or needed a health tune-up. He fasted because of God's Spirit leading his life. The Daniel Fast brings health to every part of you! You are a spirit, you have a soul, and you live in a body. The Daniel Fast is an excellent tool to bring increase, blessing and goodness to all of who you are!
***WHAT IS PRAYER AND FASTING? Prayer and fasting is a period of time where God’s children can separate themselves from their typical activities and focus on God and pray that His will be released in the earth. Jesus says in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Notice ALL the elements: Prayers to heaven – the need on earth – the release of God’s power and blessings.
Enter a time of prayer and fasting using the Daniel Fast as your method of fasting . . . study God’s Word to learn His will for a situation . . . and then use your consecrated period of time to pray His will into the circumstances! He already knows everything you need. He’s the almighty God. He doesn’t need us to inform Him or convince Him or move Him.
God is calling you right now! He is calling you to pray. Sometimes prayer needs to be intense and focused . . . and that’s when it’s time for a fast! Fasting was designed by God to help us change what we’re doing in our typical days so we can pray that His will be done – on earth as it is in heaven.
In the New Testament, people would fast when they needed guidance or answers to prayers. Many times, when the Scripture used the words “by prayer and supplication.” it likely referred to fasting. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said "When you fast," understanding that believers already knew the commands of God to spend time in fasting and prayer. As you prepare for your Daniel Fast, what will be your purpose? Are their special needs in your family? Is there a loved one who has not accepted Christ? Do you have financial pressures? Is there illness that needs healing? Do you need a new job or help with your business? Does the Lord need to change the mind of someone to do things His way? Does a person or people group need to experience repentance and a fresh encounter with Jesus? Take some time and write down your needs and your purpose for fasting. These will be your subjects of prayer and Bible study. Amazing things happen during times of prayer and fasting. Seek the Lord. He is our Holy God! The Almighty! And nothing is impossible for Him. Call on the Name of the Lord. Prayer opens the doors of our lives so the Lord can perform His works. Ask. Seek. Knock. Believe.
Fast with a purpose and see what the Lord will do!
If you have a need in your life, if you have been feeling nervous or anxious, depressed, or just needing a closer walk with the Lord, consider taking this opportunity to pray and fast. You might choose to begin with a three-day Daniel Fast and see how things go. You might want to extend to more days if you sense the Lord calling you to a deeper place of understanding with Him. As you fast, be sure to focus on the Lord. Get your eyes off the circumstances of this world and on to the promises of God in His Word. Read Deuteronomy 28. Do a study on the word “faith,” or read about the many times the Lord helped His people in times of great economic stress. Feed your spirit by meditating on God’s truth! We are His people. He is our God. He promises to provide our needs as His children as long as we remain faithful to love Him as our first Love and follow His direction in our lives (Matthew 6:24-34).
Take some time to read Psalm 91. Claim the hope and security the Lord has for you as you dwell in the secret place of the Most High. Remember, we are in the world but not of this world. We have another place where we can call home . . . the kingdom of God. Seek Him, His truth and His ways. Then you will find the joy, peace and security only He can provide..T tHHE DANIEL FAST
THE DANIEL FAST
Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast
All fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
All vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
All whole grains including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, pecans, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter and hazelnut butter.
All legumes: These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.
Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast
All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, fruit juice and alcohol.
During the Fast your body will begin working more efficiently as it receives foods more easily digested, lots of refreshing water, and no artificial chemicals! The Daniel Fast is a whole-body-experience! It brings health and strength to the spirit, it brings health and control to the soul, and it brings health and good foods to the body!
Take some time and meet with the Lord. Ask Him about the fast. First, does He want you to fast now? Listen with your heart and you will hear what He would have you do. If you are to fast at this time, then ask the Lord to show you His purpose for you during the fast. Are there issues that trouble you? Does the Lord want you to trust Him more? Is there a cause for which He is calling you to pray?
Get ready for the fast by seeking the Lord. Make this fast unto the Lord. Then He will reward you. As we read throughout the New Testament, we learn that if we are to receive the abundant blessings the Lord has for us, we need only to believe. We need to totally trust our lives into the hands of God and believe that He will do everything He says in His Word. He will give us all we need. He is still the God of miracles! If you are like most Christians today (like I was not too long ago) you have a lot of doubt in your heart. Doubt and fear cancel out faith and hope.
So what is the solution? You need to “grow your faith.” And how do you do that? “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Spend time with God and His Word. Take EVERYTHING to Him in prayer, including any doubt and unbelief you may have. Prayer and fasting is the antidote for doubt and unbelief. So study this scripture, (Matt 17:41-21) then get a mustard seed . . . you might have some in your spice cabinet. If not, invest a few dollars (spiritual learning aid) and buy a bottle at the store. Jesus says that even with faith the size of a mustard seed . . . that we can move mountains! My guess is that you have faith the size of a mustard seed – but the unbelief is canceling it out.
We must come before the Lord and confess all known sin to Him and ask Him to get it out of our lives. Ask Him to empower you to say "no" to all temptation. Sin only harms you and others. Sin binds the hands of God from blessing you and opening new doors of opportunity He desires to give you. Sin keeps us from seeing prayers answered in the lives of others. Sin keeps us from a close walk with our Lord Jesus.
The Lord said in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins and heal their land."
God does not expect us to be perfect...but He does expect us to have a right heart of humility, continual repentance and continual seeking His ways. Do we live to selfishly please ourselves or do we live only to please and glorify our Lord Jesus? It is a heart issue. Either your heart is usually right with the Lord or your heart is usually in rebellion against the Lord.
It is all about allowing the Spirit of Jesus to live through you to empower you to live His life of righteousness. You cannot do it in your own strength! This is how the Daniel Fast is helpful. The Daniel Fast helps us to allow the Spirit of God to overpower and conquer the power of the flesh. The Spirit of God must control our mind and our body must learn to submit fully!
This is a perfect time for you to enter the Daniel Fast. You will discover the power and purpose of spiritual fasting!
Commit to memory Matthew 6:33. Jesus instructs us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things shall be added unto you.” Jesus is telling us that the most important thing in our lives must be Him and His ways. Keep His right ways of doing things at the forefront of everything we do. Seek the guidance of His Spirit before we speak or act. THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL THE LORD GIVE US ALL WE NEED. THEN AND ONLY THEN CAN THE LORD BLESS ALL THAT WE SAY AND DO.
God instructed Joshua in the same way. When Joshua had the grave task of taking over where Moses left off, he was worried about his ability to lead the Israelites into the promised land. But God comforted Joshua and assured him that He would always be with him. The Lord gives Joshua clear instructions, including, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8
It was the way of Daniel and Joshua. It was the way of Jesus and His disciples. It was the way of many spiritual leaders of the past and present who saw great miracles from the Lord because of their complete surrender and submission to His Spirit.
IT MUST ALSO BE MY WAY AND YOUR WAY IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S FULNESS AND RICH BLESSINGS.
Entering the Daniel Fast is a great time to commit our lives to the only God and to turn our hearts to Him. It is the best way to say "thank you" for all He has done for us.
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