FASTING GUIDELINES
Introduction to the Daniel's Fast
During the 21 Day Daniel’s fast (described in Daniel 1 + 10) we should focus on obtaining maximum effectiveness in our prayer lives. A good prayer life must progress to become a great prayer life. A shotgun prayer life (hit and miss) must become a laser-focussed prayer life. A self-focussed prayer life must become a supportive and out-ward focussed prayer life, focussing on the needs of others. This will ensure that we will grow to be more and more effective and powerful with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Why Fasting
REASONS WHY WE SHOULD FAST
Reasons why we Should Fast
- Perhaps the main reason why we should fast is because Jesus, our Redeemer, placed a fast upon all of us. Matt. 9:15: “And Jesus said unto them, can the children of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from the, and then shall they fast.” We therefore are to fast to carry on the works for the kingdom that Jesus started by His fastings and prayers.
- Paul was “in fastings often” (II Cor. 11:27)
- Fasting enables one to become a conductor of spiritual power for either blessing others or for bringing blessings to himself.
- Proper fasting with sincerity and respect to the Lord will positively break the yokes of sin, sickness and spiritual oppression (Is 58:6).
- Fasting intensifies the power of prayer and help bring results.
- Fasting reaches and obtains what prayer alone cannot, because it removes unbelief (Matt 17:20,21).
- Fasting masters the old man, subjugating the flesh (I Cor 9:27) and is mortification of the flesh (Col. 3:5)
- Fasting pleases the Spirit. The flesh and the Spirit are at enmity with each other.
- Fasting is the most sure spiritual method to bring a revival. A revival begins in our heart first, and then one comes about in the community. Souls become saved.
- Fasting is the easiest way for backsliders to come home. (Study David’s fasts). Refer to Psalms 35:13; 109:24.
- Fasting always brings revelations and better understanding of the Spirit. Sometimes visions and unspeakable glory will also be attained and manifested (Dan. 10:2-21; Acts 10:9-16)
- Fasting will always enable one to obtain the direction and anointing needed for the work to which he is called.
It the Daniel's Fast is Scriptural ?
Daniel 1:11-20 “Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water, Daniel said at the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see. The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.”
Daniel 10:2-3 “When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.”
Why is Fasting Important ?
- Everybody desires to hear from God, pray effectively, build loving relationship with the Lord and obtain answers especially in times of trouble and need.
- It is very important for us to always pray with love for others and under the gracious guidance of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:6, 1 John 4:8+16).
- Let us begin by taking a close look at approaching God the right way: (Hebrews 4:14-5:1).
- Psalm 91 is a mighty Psalm and places great desire and aspiration in the heart of a believer. It invites one into ‘The secret place of the Most High.
- To Get to God, it begins with my personal effort. My desire for Him will involve true sacrifice and will carry me into the ‘Secret Place’. Only a living sacrifice can get results (Romans 12:1).
Guidelines to Fasting
what to eat
What to Abstain from Eating
Stay Away From:
- Meat, Fish or Chicken
Dairy Products & Eggs - Soups that Contain Meat
- White Rice
- Fried Foods
- Caffeine
- Carbonated Beverages
- Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
- Refined Sugar
- Sugar Substitutes
- White Flour and All Products Using It
- Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
What to Eat Instead
Dan 1:16-17 So the steward took away their [rich] dainties and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. 17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all [kinds of] visions and dreams. AMP
2 Cor 7:1 THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God. AMP
- Overall: All Vegetables and Fruit, Nuts, Beans and Soy for Protein
- Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
- Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
- Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
- Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, 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 not allergic to soy.
- Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices. You may also drink protein drinks.
- Others: Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
Examples of Meals
Potatoes in jackets, avocados, sweet potatoes, corn cobs, aubergines, carrots, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, (of this can be fried in olive or sunflower seed oil and served as a Mediterranean vegetable dish).
Avoid pure over the counter fruit juices especially in the morning as the sugar content is too high and if you do take it, take a portion of protein (nuts or protein powder) with it.
Home made fruit and vegetable juices will require a juice extractor and liquidizer if possible. Or else just have the fruit and vegetables in their natural form.
Vegetables like carrots, spinach, celery, cabbage, beetroot (all raw) need to be juice extracted.
Fruit like apples can be liquidized or juice extracted.
Fruit like paw-paws, bananas, pears, berries, can all be liquidized.
Add a good portion of ice to the mixture and it thins the concentration and increases the volume. Once again protein powder can be added. (Combine vegetables and fruit juices eg. Juice extract beetroot, cabbage, celery and then place in liquidizer with a paw-paw and ice cubes. A few almond nuts can be added. This is a wonderful detoxifier for the body’s system)
A Life of Prayer
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Prayer should reflect the relationship we have with God. After all, it is beautiful to think that we have been given the ability to communicate with Him. In any moment and from any place, we can thank Him, ask for His strength, discern His will and become more like Christ. As James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”