The Daniel Fast
September 1-21, 2009
The Call to Fast
As we prepare for our Fall Revival (September 23-25), our church is being called to a special season of fasting and prayer from September 1-21, 2009.
The scriptural basis for this fast is Daniel 10: 2-3, wherein the prophet declares, “At that time I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks. I had eaten no rich food, no meat or wine had entered my mouth, and I had not anointed myself at all, for the full three weeks.”
According to the word of God, Daniel received a spiritual breakthrough shortly after this period of fasting. Daniel had prayed with such fervor and perseverance that spiritual warfare had broken out in heavenly places as the enemy sought to deny Daniel his request. Daniel was given the assurance that the power of the enemy would be defeated and victory would come to the servant of the Lord.
During this twenty-one day period, we will be praying that we will receive breakthrough in our church and in our personal lives as well. We will continue our prayer emphasis that we will receive:
- Spiritual breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of individual and congregational worship of and relationship with God
- Financial breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of financial abundance and overflow and gives us wise and judicious management of our resources to match our increase
- Direction breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of clarity in our decision-making
- Overcoming breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of power and victory over certain things with which we struggle.
During this time of prayer and fasting, we will seek God in eager expectation of visible manifestations of breakthrough in our midst. We stand in faith believing that our Revival theme, “It’s Breakthrough Time!” will become a reality.
The Daniel Fast basically consists of a diet of vegetables, fruits, 100% vegetable and fruit juices (that do not contain artificial sweeteners), grains, nuts, tofu, whole wheat pastas, and water (distilled, filtered, and carbonated). Soy products and veggie burgers/patties are acceptable, but all meat (poultry, beef, pork), dairy, sugar, caffeine, and alcoholic products as well as sodas, energy drinks, tea, and coffee are to be avoided. Fried and processed foods are also to be avoided. Persons are encouraged to read labels before consuming pre-packaged food.
We recognize that fasting is a lifestyle into which we must grow. When one considers the radical change of diet and lifestyle that the Daniel Fast will involve, even for 21 days, we have chosen to make fish optional. If you choose to eat fish, we ask that in the spirit of the sacrifices that a number of persons will be making, you limit your intake of fish to no more than twice a week. We also ask that if you choose the fish option you adhere to Leviticus 11: 9-10 and abstain from shellfish, catfish, and other fish or seafood that is a scavenger or does not have fins and scales.
A Word of Caution:
Persons who have certain dietary restrictions are encouraged to consult their physician before beginning the Daniel or any other food fast. In the event that a competent and certified physician advises against our participation in the Daniel Fast you are asked to seek God’s direction regarding the sacrifice that is appropriate for you so that you can too can reach a new dimension of spiritual breakthrough and so that you can be in agreement with your brothers and sisters in Christ who are participating in the Daniel Fast.
Daniel Food List
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, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
- All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, french 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.
- The Fish Option: Limit their intake of fish to no more than twice a week. Abstain from shellfish, catfish, and any other fish or seafood that is a scavenger or does not have fins and scales.
Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast:
- All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry.
- 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.
Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast:
- 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
Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.
A Note on Fasting
Since ancient times, fasting (abstaining from all foods, certain kinds of food, and various liquids) has been a spiritual discipline that believers have practiced for strengthening their relationship with God, direction in decision making, power to break certain habits or to resist the attack of the enemy, healing for the body and mind, adoption of healthier lifestyles, and as a support and aid in prayer when certain request are being laid before the Lord.
Prayer and fasting go together as a hand inside of a glove. Abstinence from food can be viewed as a diet. What gives a fast its distinctiveness is its spiritual focus, which deepens of one’s relationship with God. Even if one is seeking something in particular from the Lord, one should still become closer to the Lord during a fast. Thus, a spiritual fast is always accompanied by increased prayer, meditation, reading/study of the word of God, and worship. Therefore during this season we are encouraged not only to pray consistently individually and with our regular prayer partners, but also to attend our Tuesday night prayer service.
