HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE DANIEL FAST
QUIET TIME:
If you don’t already have an established daily quiet time with the Lord, then this is an excellent opportunity to do so. Starting your day with God is a habit that will support your faith and growing intimacy with the Lord.
During your Daniel Fast, be sure to set a daily time to come before the Lord, to study His Word and allow Him to speak to you.
HOW TO BEGIN SPIRITUALLY:
Start with a clear personal goal in addition to our corporate goals.
- Be specific
- Why are you fasting?
- Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues?
- Are you facing financial difficulties?
ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR GUIDANCE
- Pray daily and read the Bible
- Prepare spiritually by confessing your sins to God
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness
- Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended. (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4)
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you. (Romans 12:1-2)
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR FASTING:
- Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 9:14-15; Luke 18:9-14
RELATION TO PRAYER AND READING OF THE WORD:
- 1 Samuel 1:6-8; 17-18; Nehemiah 1:4; Daniel 9:3,20; Joel 2:12; Luke 2:37; Acts 10:30; Acts 13:2
CORPORATE FASTING:
- 1 Samuel 7:5-6; Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Joel 2:15-16; Jonah 3:5-10; Acts 27:33-37
- Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing.
MAY GOD GREATLY BLESS YOU AS YOU FAST!
WHAT TO EXECT DURING THE FAST
- When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system.
- This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars.
- Naturally you will have hunger pains!
Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest.
Fasting brings about miraculous results.
You are following Jesus’ example when you fast.
Spend time listening to praise and worship music.
Prays as often as you can throughout the day.
Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God.
FASTING IS DRAWING NEAR
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
AS YOU DEMONSTRATE SINCERITY TO GOD, YOU CAN EXPECT:
- Strength in your inner character
- Find power to leave sinful habits
- Find power to stay focused in prayer
- Find yourself desiring God’s presence
- Expect the hand of God to move to answer unselfish prayers
- Expect resistance from the flesh and spiritual darkness
- Expect your prayers to go to a higher level
HOW TO SUCCEED IN FASTING:
- Fast with a purpose (not casually)
- Determine you will follow through on the fast
- Spend time with God
- Fasting does not work if you do not pray….it is NOT a diet!
FOODS TO EAT
ALL FRUITS
These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch for added sugar)
Apples, Apricots, Avocados Melons, Mulberry, Nectarines
Bananas, Berries, Blackberries Oats, Olives, Oranges, Papaya
Blueberries, Boysenberries, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples
Breadfruit, Cantaloupe, Cherries Plums, Prunes
Coconuts, Cranberries, Dates Raspberries, Raisins
Figs, Grapes, Grapefruit Strawberries, Tangelos
Grenadine, Guava, Honeydew Melon Tangerines, Watermelon
Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes
VEGETABLES
These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch salt content)
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets Mushrooms, Mustard greens
Broccoli, Brussels Sprout Onions, Parsley
Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes
Celery Sprouts, Chili peppers Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach
Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers Squashes, Sweet Potatoes
Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger Root, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress
Kale, Leeks, Yams, Zucchini
LEGUMES
Black beans, Dried beans, Green beans Lentils, Lupines
Black eyed peas, Green peas Peanuts, Pinto beans
Cannellini Split peas
Kidney beans White peas
SEEDS
All nuts (raw, unsalted) Sprouts, Sesame
Almonds; Almond Butter Walnuts
Cashews Natural, Ground flax
WHOLE GRAINS
Barley, Brown rice, Grits (not butter) Quinoa, Rice Cakes,
Millet, Oats, plain, Plain Oatmeal not instant Whole wheat pasta, tortillas
LIQUIDS
Herbal (caffeine free) Tea Unsweetened Soy Milk
100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice (no sugar) Water (spring, distilled, filtered)
OTHER
Tofu Soy Products
HERBS
Small amounts of Ezekiel Bread Small Amounts of Sea Salt
Small amounts of Honey Spices (Read the label to be sure
Small Amounts of Olive Oil there are no preservatives)
FOODS TO AVOID ON THE DANIEL FAST
All animal products including all meat, poultry, fish…
Caffeine, Carbonated beverages, Coffee Raw sugar, Refined foods
Energy drinks, Deep fried foods, White bread, White rice
Foods containing preservatives…additives
All leavened breads, baked goods, Alcohol Processed foods, Refined sugar
Butter, Cane juice, Cheese, Cream, Sugar substitutes, Shortening
Food additives, Margarine, Mayonnaise Syrups, White flour
High fat products, Milk, Molasses Yogurt
Recipes on line…http://www.daniel-fast.com/myrecipes