Daniel Fast
Daniel 1:13-16 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Daniel 10:2-3 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 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.
As a Church we will participate in the Daniel Fast for 21 days from January 7th to January 27th.
The Daniel fast is a partial fast, meaning it does not require the individual to give up all food for a period of time, though some people will abstain from eating before dinner. It is however, very strict about what foods can be consumed. The Bible does not go into great detail about what specifically he ate, though it does say Daniel and his friends consumed vegetables and water. The Daniel fast is built around this knowledge, an understanding of Levitical law, and clean foods.
To participate in the Daniel fast, only eat foods approved on the diet.
Because of the world we live in today please be careful where you purchase your fruits and vegetables and be sure to wash them thoroughly before eating them.
Foods Approved for the Daniel Fast
- Vegetables: all fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned vegetables
- Fruit: all fresh, frozen, dried (with no added sugar), juiced and canned fruit
- Whole grains: amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, millet. Freekeh, oats, purple rice, wild rice, whole wheat, spelt, forghum, rye, quinoa
- Beans and legumes: black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, split beans, black-eyed peas
- Oils: coconut, olive, sesame, etc., but not for deep-frying
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, soy nuts, sesame seeds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds
- Unleavened bread, herbs, spices, and seasonings
- Beverages: water, some fruit juice, unsweetened non-dairy milk
Foods Not Approved for the Daniel Fast
- Alcohol
- Added sugars: any foods with added sugar are prohibited, agave, artificial sweeteners, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, sugar, molasses, etc.
- Meat: beef, bison, chicken, goat, lamb, pork, turkey, fish
- Dairy: butter, cheese, cream, milk, yogurt
- Eggs are prohibited
- Yeast: this includes all leavened bread
- Refined grains: white rice, white flour
- Processed food: any food with artificial flavorings, colorings, chemicals, additives, and preservatives are prohibited
- Fried food: corn chips, potato chips, French fries, fried vegetables (tempura) etc.
- Solid fats: butter, lard, margarine, shortening
- Chocolate: milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark, syrup, cacao
- Caffeinated drinks.
Tips
- Lots of prayer...we need God's strength and guidance.
- Keep your diet simple. Avoid highly processed foods in favor of simply prepared or raw foods.
- If for any reason you eat something you shouldn't have during the fast, it is better to ask for forgiveness and continue, than it is to stop the fast.
Warnings
- During the time of fasting, you will face temptations, resist them in the name of Jesus Christ.
- When you have finished fasting, eat light meals and slowly build back up to your normal diet.
- The Daniel Fast promotes healthy eating. But if you have specific health concerns, consult with a trusted health care provider before committing to this 10-day (or 3-week) diet.
Things You'll Need
- Bible
- A place and time(s) to pray.
- Good variety of fruits and veggies
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