The Daniel Fast is a 21-day partial fast based upon Daniel's own experiences as recorded in the Bible. The purpose is to restrict commonly enjoyed foods as an act of worship and consecration to God. Someone who chooses to undergo a Daniel Fast demonstrates a physical commitment that reflects a deep spiritual desire for a more intimate relationship with the Lord.
On one occasion, Daniel was greatly concerned for his people and sought the Lord's wisdom during a 3-week time of prayer and fasting. Daniel 10:2-3 says, "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips." The meaning of "choice food" is not clear; however, most commentaries conclude that he ate no bread or sweets. The Message translation sums up Daniel's eating habits during that time: "I ate only plain and simple food."
The intention of today's Daniel Fast is not to duplicate exactly what Daniel did but the spirit in which he did it. Daniel's passion for the Lord caused him to hunger and thirst for spiritual food rather than physical food, which should be the desire for anyone doing the Daniel Fast. To view a detailed list of foods, see Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid while on the Daniel Fast.
The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast is an inspiring resource for Christians who want to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through the 21-day commitment to prayer and fasting known as the Daniel Fast. As you deny yourself certain foods—such as sugars, processed ingredients, and solid fats—you will not only embrace healthier eating habits, you’ll also discover a greater awareness of God’s presence.
Following is a link to an interview I did for the National Prayer Center that gives basic information on the Daniel Fast: http://agtv.ag.org/npc-kristen-feola.
12 comments:
I have a question! Btw this site is amazing...whats your suggestions to me as to what scriptures to read during the fast!
Thanks for your encouragement and question. Boy, that's a tough question! Here are some suggestions:
1) Read one psalm and one proverb each day.
2) Get a Bible study book.
3) Choose a book of the Bible and go through it during your fast.
4) Use devotionals (I have some on my blog if that helps. With each devo, there is a Scripture to focus on. That could help you get started in reading passages).
The important thing is that you are in the Word each day. It's absolutely essential as it will help you focus on the Lord and to hear from Him. After all, that's what the Daniel Fast is all about.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me!
I pray that God will do amazing things in your life as you seek Him. :)
Wow, I was just researching the Daniel fast for a friend, and contemplating doing it again myself, and I read your answer to the above comment. You said to read a Psalm and a Proverb scripture each day and that's what I've been doing every morning. I guess that's my confirmation to do the fast. Thanks!
That's so like God, isn't it? Thanks for sharing. Take a minute to read what I wrote on the blog this afternoon. Perhaps it will encourage you even more to seek the Lord through the Daniel Fast. He has great plans for you! :)
Hi Kristen!
I just found your blog as I was surfing around looking for information about fasting from a Christian perspective, and realized that your writing here could help a bunch of people in a way you've probably never thought of...Christian ladies with eating disorders, who are repentant.
I have a blog (also a platform for my book, which is coming out this winter) called "Redeemed from the Pit". It is an online ministry to eating disordered Christian women, bulimics in particular. While I do not recommend that ladies with anorexia or bulimia do a total food fast (for obvious reasons), the biblical principal of fasting, combined with prayer, is important in overcoming any life-dominating sin. The guidelines and discussion you have here is extremely appropriate for them - especially ladies in the "abstinence" stage, where cravings are still very real and thoughts still tend to be consumed by food.
I feel that the type of eating and consecration you lay out here, combined with the emphasis on staying in the Word and continual prayer (which is a part of fasting), will go a long way in helping them break free. I have written an entry on my blog recommending your site and book to my readers here: http://redeemedfromthepit.blogspot.com/2010/08/those-who-hunger-daniel-fast-and-you.html
Since I am a biblical counselor and not a nutritionist, any practical stuff like this I can recommend is great! I am not inclined to come up with recipes myself, but some of these ladies really don't know where to start with healthy eating. Great, great job on the blog...I will definitely order your book when it comes out, and add it to my arsenal of counseling materials. If you know any Christain sisters who struggle with eating disorders, feel free to send them my way.
your sister,
Marie
Greetings Kristen, I work for an A/G Radio Station in Guntersville, AL www.wjia885.com. My name is Mary Weddle. I would love to do an interview with you and offer your book to our listeners, maybe if possible give-away some of your books on our station. Could you please contact me? marywjia@yahoo.com or 800-311-1499. Our Church,www.lakecityag.org, does a fast at the start of the new year also. Will you be traveling and teaching on the Daniel Fast?
I look forward to speaking with you soon. Many Blessings, Mary
This blog mishandles the Holy Scriptures. The Bible in know way has any specific advice for people who are overweight. Diets that we read about in magazines are a modern invention (which doesn't at all mean they're bad), if you wanna learn how to diet, hire a PT. Personal Trainers are God's gift to us to help us keep healthy.
The person who developed this diet should actually read Daniel properly. To develop a diet based on Daniel is actually to offer yourself to the ridicule of those who have read Daniel and realise that it is about the LORD's reign over the earth, even above earthly kings. The creative mind behind this program doesn't realise that when people hear about this they will challenge their intelligence, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life. For I cannot take seriously anyone who sees the struggle of God's people in exile, the great provision of strength from God to the four boys, and their rise to success in Babylon as a framework from which to build a diet.
Matthew needs to read the very first paragraph at the top of this page titled: What is a Daniel Fast? No where on the page is the word "DIET" used except in Matthews own post where he used it 5 times.
Don't let Matthews legalism destroy your desire to seek after the Lord.
Matthew, I appreciate your comment. However, in no way does this blog (or I) imply that the Daniel Fast is a diet. Although there are certainly physical benefits to eating according to Daniel Fast guidelines, the main focus is always supposed to be on the Lord. The whole purpose of the fast is to draw close to the Lord and spend more time in prayer. The Daniel Fast is all about the Lord and accomplishing His purposes, not about seeing how much weight one can lose.
I just wanted to say thanks for this site. For some time I have been interested in learning more about fasting. It's something I want to do as an act of worship to the Lord, but I believe before I do it, I need to really understand, from God's perspective, why we are called to fast. In other words, I don't just want to jump on the "current popular trend" wagon (to be clear, I am not implying that this is what you are perpetuating here at all). I need to really understand fasting from a biblical perspective. Your site has offered me some great insight as well as some verses about fasting that I plan to study. When I am ready and feel prepared by God, I will look more closely at the Daniel fast. I just wanted to thank you for this resource and for helping me focus my desire. Blessings to you.
My church is starting the Daniel Fast on Monday and has your book for people to pickup for guidance, devotions and recipes.
The material in your book is ideal for anyone participating in the fast, who may feel reluctant not knowing what they would eat or how they would cook for their family. I know I was a little overwhelmed trying to figure out a menu for the 21 days. As I have gone through your book and website, there are so many recipes I am looking forward to trying. Thank you for sharing.
Your book and website will help more families participate in this fast and experience a deeper more rich relationship with God.
I know my husband & I and our church family will be blessed by your resources.
Thank you and may God bless you and richly reward you!
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment. That's what I pray...that people will be blessed by the information in the book as they seek the Lord through prayer and fasting. I can't wait to hear what God does in your lives and in the life of your church as a result of this time of fasting. Be sure to email me a testimony! :)
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