Today - January 1, 2010 - my wife and I have started the Daniel Fast. I plan to do a daily blog on the fast and what God is revealing to me in my prayer time. I pray that this is a help and not just something to blog about.
I'm starting this fast a week early from the week of Prayer and Fasting we have called the congregation to because I wanted to model a fast and because I want to be in a place where I am better able to lead during the congregational fast.
I have fasted from all foods before for a day, a three day, and a week. I plan to do the Daniel fast for the three weeks found in Daniel 10.
Let me give some foundational material for the Daniel Fast found on the following website - http://daniel-fast.com/index.html. Read if you would like to know more or if you would like to join me in this fast January 10-15.
The Daniel Fast teaches us to deny our "selves" and instead put our spirit in control over our flesh. As you plan your meals and eat your food, keep in mind that the definition of a fast is to deny food for a spiritual purpose.
What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a Biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting that men, women and young people all over the world are using as they enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.
There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast:
1. Only fruits and vegetables
2. Only water for a beverage
Then in Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days. So from this scripture, we get a third guideline:
3. No sweeteners and no breads
Another important guideline is drawn from Jewish fasting principles, where no leaven is used during the fast. So that's why yeast, baking powder and the like are not allowed on the Daniel Fast.
Finally, with all the above puzzle pieces, we conclude that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed on the Daniel Fast.
When asked about the eating plan on the Daniel Fast, I often say it is a "vegan diet with even more restrictions."
Be sure to read the ingredients on labels of prepared foods to make sure they only include Daniel Fast friendly ingredients.
I'm starting this fast a week early from the week of Prayer and Fasting we have called the congregation to because I wanted to model a fast and because I want to be in a place where I am better able to lead during the congregational fast.
I have fasted from all foods before for a day, a three day, and a week. I plan to do the Daniel fast for the three weeks found in Daniel 10.
Let me give some foundational material for the Daniel Fast found on the following website - http://daniel-fast.com/index.html. Read if you would like to know more or if you would like to join me in this fast January 10-15.
The Daniel Fast teaches us to deny our "selves" and instead put our spirit in control over our flesh. As you plan your meals and eat your food, keep in mind that the definition of a fast is to deny food for a spiritual purpose.
What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a Biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting that men, women and young people all over the world are using as they enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.
There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast:
1. Only fruits and vegetables
2. Only water for a beverage
Then in Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days. So from this scripture, we get a third guideline:
3. No sweeteners and no breads
Another important guideline is drawn from Jewish fasting principles, where no leaven is used during the fast. So that's why yeast, baking powder and the like are not allowed on the Daniel Fast.
Finally, with all the above puzzle pieces, we conclude that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed on the Daniel Fast.
When asked about the eating plan on the Daniel Fast, I often say it is a "vegan diet with even more restrictions."
Be sure to read the ingredients on labels of prepared foods to make sure they only include Daniel Fast friendly ingredients.
Today is day one for me on this fast. My goals for the fast are:
- Deny myself and show spiritual control over my eating habits
- Seek the face of God more and more
- Connect in a deeper way with my wife who is fasting with me
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4 comments:
Happy New Year, Ramon! And what a great way to greet this year by giving the "first fruit" to the Lord through prayer and fasting!
I am so glad you have this blog to encourage more followers of Christ to learn about the powerful spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting. Our Father is so awesome and His "creation" of this discipline for us is another example of His great desire to be in relationship with Him.
Be blessed, my friend. I'm glad you are starting the year with the greatest of expectations!
Susan Gregory
a.k.a. The Daniel Fast Blogger
http://Daniel-Fast.com
Hello I was looking for a blog site on Daniel,s fast. Found yours, I would like you to tell me as a man of God what is your interets in Wizards?? I am sure you can see how this has peeked my curious side....Thanks
I came across your blog and just want to encourage you. I also want to let you know about my blog, Those Who Hunger, which provides recipes for people on the Daniel Fast. May God bless you richly as you seek Him in this 21-day journey!
www.thosewhohunger.blogspot.com
The only Wizards I follow Tonya is the Washington Wizards - a professional basketball team. I don't like their name but follow them.
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