21 days of prayer & fasting

HOW TO FAST

As you prepare to fast, it is important to choose a fasting plan that works for you. There are many different types of fasts. Our focus will be on the Daniel Fast. You will be stretched as you give up the foods and drinks that you are accustomed to.

Giving it up for a period enables one to focus on God. For example, when those hunger pains happen, turn to prayer, open your Bible to read, and pray instead. Don’t let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. Our focus should be on drawing closer to God. Remember, this is a time to disconnect enough from your regular patterns and habits to connect more closely to God.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before getting started.

1. START WHERE YOU ARE:

We are all at different places in our walk with God. Likewise, our jobs, daily schedules, and health conditions are all different and place various levels of demand on our energy. So most importantly, whether you’ve fasted before or this is your first time, start where you are. Seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Remember, the goal of fasting is not just to do without food. The goal is to draw nearer to God and to seek His direction.

2. MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT:

Jesus encouraged us to fast (Matthew 6:16-18). For Him, it was a matter of when believers fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, we encourage you to decide upfront what God wants you to undertake and how much time each day you will devote to prayer and reading God’s Word. Making these commitments ahead of time will help sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon them.

3. BEGINNING AND ENDING YOUR FAST WELL:

Before you begin a fast, it is important that you prepare yourself. It is important to prepare your body ahead of time before January 2, 2024. Take some days to transition into your fast; otherwise, it may be difficult for your body. If you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition, please consult your physician first.

The same principle applies to breaking your fast. When your fast is over, add foods back in gradually. You will not want to break your fast with a greasy cheeseburger!

• There are a wide variety of types of fasts, which we’ve simplified into three main categories:
• Complete Fast
  • Also known as a full fast, a complete fast is when you do not eat any food (and consume liquids only) for a specific period of time. Please consult a medical professional in advance if you intend to do a complete fast for a prolonged period of time.
• Partial Fast
  • A partial fast is when you fast all food for a set specific time throughout the day. For example, you may decide to fast from sunrise to sunset and eat food only in the evenings.
• Selective Fast (ex. The ‘Daniel Fast’)
  • A selective fast is when you fast only specific types of foods. The most popular selective fast is known as the Daniel Fast (more details below).

*As a side note, please be wise when it comes to fasting. If you have struggled with an eating disorder or serious medical condition in the past, please consult with a medical professional in advance of fasting.

If you have not tried fasting before, the ‘Daniel Fast’ is a great place to start. The Daniel Fast is called this because it’s taken from the Bible in the book of Daniel (Daniel 10:3). 

A Daniel Fast is where you avoid meats, sweets, and treats for a specific amount of time. During a Daniel Fast, you normally consume rice, beans & lentils, vegetables, and fruits, while avoiding bread, meats, dairy products, sugars/ sweeteners, and alcoholic beverages.

What Is The Daniel Fast

Inspired by Daniel 10:2-3 NIV, ”2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” The Daniel Fast is a time of focused devotion while seeking spiritual clarity. We will follow this model embracing simplicity in our diet and lifestyle to enhance our spiritual journey.

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Fruits include but are 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 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, and veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains, including whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds, including sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, and sesame. Also, nut butter, including peanut butter.

All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and white beans.

All quality oils, including 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.

Note: Unsweetened plant-based milk and juices can be used in recipes or on cereal, but the only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

All meat, animal, fish, and seafood products, including beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, and shellfish.

All dairy products, including milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners, including sugar, raw sugar, date sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, cane juice, date honey, and stevia.

All leavened bread, including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All leavening agents, including yeast, baking soda, and baking powder.

All refined and processed food products, including artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All deep-fried foods, including potato chips, French fries, and corn chips.

All solid fats, including shortening, margarine, lard, and foods high in fat.

Beverages including coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Remember, READ THE LABELS so you know the ingredients in the package.