Why do we fast?
"Fasting is going without to gain within." - Pastor Zac Hufty
From a spiritual perspective, fasting can be a helpful way to focus on God. Changing our habits and not relying so much on the comforts of food can be a physical reminder that we rely on God. True satisfaction is found only in Him. Those wanting to fast using the Daniel Fast should be certain of their motives and make steps to use the fast in a way that will be spiritually beneficial. For example, spend more time with God in prayer and in reading His Word while on the fast. Also, be certain to prepare in advance for the dietary changes. Without proper preparation, the fasting could cause an overemphasis on food instead of being a tool for spiritual growth. There are ample resources online to help people complete a Daniel Fast if that is the path you choose. Pray for God’s wisdom before beginning, and then trust Him to guide along the way.
From a spiritual perspective, fasting can be a helpful way to focus on God. Changing our habits and not relying so much on the comforts of food can be a physical reminder that we rely on God. True satisfaction is found only in Him. Those wanting to fast using the Daniel Fast should be certain of their motives and make steps to use the fast in a way that will be spiritually beneficial. For example, spend more time with God in prayer and in reading His Word while on the fast. Also, be certain to prepare in advance for the dietary changes. Without proper preparation, the fasting could cause an overemphasis on food instead of being a tool for spiritual growth. There are ample resources online to help people complete a Daniel Fast if that is the path you choose. Pray for God’s wisdom before beginning, and then trust Him to guide along the way.
Why are we fasting as a congregation?
Last year, Pastor Zac challenged us to practice the spiritual discipline of fasting together as a congregation, we can honestly say that we have received blessings from that beginning of the year fasting and we want to do it again this year. You can watch his sermon from January 5th and 8th from prior sermons at this link to hear more on Jesus' I am Statement: I am the Bread of Life and more of the why behind why we are fasting together.
Our church-wide fast will be taking place from January 7th to January 12th, and we would love to invite you to participate. There are three ways that Pastor Zac has challenged us, and you have the freedom to choose whichever version of the fast works best for you! Be sure to include God in the decision and ask Him to guide you throughout the whole process!
Here are the ways you can fast alongside us:
If you want to be a part of this fasting challenge, be sure to let us know by clicking on this link and filling out a little bit of information for us! You will receive daily text messages during the fast as an encouragement and reminder to keep God at the center of our motivations!
Last year, Pastor Zac challenged us to practice the spiritual discipline of fasting together as a congregation, we can honestly say that we have received blessings from that beginning of the year fasting and we want to do it again this year. You can watch his sermon from January 5th and 8th from prior sermons at this link to hear more on Jesus' I am Statement: I am the Bread of Life and more of the why behind why we are fasting together.
Our church-wide fast will be taking place from January 7th to January 12th, and we would love to invite you to participate. There are three ways that Pastor Zac has challenged us, and you have the freedom to choose whichever version of the fast works best for you! Be sure to include God in the decision and ask Him to guide you throughout the whole process!
Here are the ways you can fast alongside us:
- Fast a Meal
- Not Eating 1 Meal
- Fast a Day
- Not Eating for 1 Whole Day
- Do the Daniel Fast from Jan 7th-14th
- Partial Fast for 5 Days
If you want to be a part of this fasting challenge, be sure to let us know by clicking on this link and filling out a little bit of information for us! You will receive daily text messages during the fast as an encouragement and reminder to keep God at the center of our motivations!
What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast based on two accounts of the prophet Daniel fasting. When done as a fast, it is intended to be a time of drawing closer to God.
The Daniel Fast is so called because it is based on the way the prophet Daniel is recorded to have eaten in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and other young Israelite men were taken into Nebuchadnezzar’s service, they were to be given food and wine from the king’s table while undergoing a three-year training program. “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8). It is likely the royal food did not follow kosher laws. The official was fearful that Daniel would be unhealthy and that the king would be upset. So Daniel asked him to do a ten-day test in which he and his three companions would eat vegetables (or “pulses”) and drink water. “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:15–16).
Later, under the rule of Cyrus, Daniel received a frightening vision. He “mourned for three weeks. [He] ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched [his] lips; and [he] used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over” (Daniel 10:2–3). Then Daniel saw an angel who explained the vision to him and strengthened him. The fast was a time of mourning for Daniel and also part of how he “set [his] mind to gain understanding and to humble [himself] before [his] God” (Daniel 10:12).
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast based on two accounts of the prophet Daniel fasting. When done as a fast, it is intended to be a time of drawing closer to God.
The Daniel Fast is so called because it is based on the way the prophet Daniel is recorded to have eaten in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and other young Israelite men were taken into Nebuchadnezzar’s service, they were to be given food and wine from the king’s table while undergoing a three-year training program. “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8). It is likely the royal food did not follow kosher laws. The official was fearful that Daniel would be unhealthy and that the king would be upset. So Daniel asked him to do a ten-day test in which he and his three companions would eat vegetables (or “pulses”) and drink water. “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:15–16).
Later, under the rule of Cyrus, Daniel received a frightening vision. He “mourned for three weeks. [He] ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched [his] lips; and [he] used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over” (Daniel 10:2–3). Then Daniel saw an angel who explained the vision to him and strengthened him. The fast was a time of mourning for Daniel and also part of how he “set [his] mind to gain understanding and to humble [himself] before [his] God” (Daniel 10:12).
What are the guidelines of the daniel fast?
The Daniel fast is what is known as a partial fast, meaning it does not require you to give up all food for the set amount of time. However, it is rather strict about what foods can and cannot be consumed. While the Bible does not go into great detail about what specifically he ate, The Daniel fast is built around guidelines found in the book of Daniel, an understanding of Levitical law, and kosher/clean food guidelines.
Daniel fast Approved Foods
- 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 to be consumed during 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
- 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
What are some resources i can use to successfully complete this fasting challenge?
Recipe Ideas
Here are some recipe ideas you can use during your Daniel Fast!
- Easy Sheet Pan Dinner
- Falafel Salad
- Wild Rice Soup
- Vegan Lasagna
- Oatmeal with Nut Butter and Fruit
- Acai Bowl
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We want to partner with you during your fast and root you on! Text "fast" to (910) 877-8127 or follow this link and fill out the short form!
Information sourced from https://www.gotquestions.org/Daniel-fast.html, https://www.danielplan.com/tools/, and https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/whats-the-daniel-fast-and-how-do-you-do-it.html. Be sure to check out the website for more information and resources regarding The Daniel Fast.