Daniel Fast

When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.” Daniel 10:2-3

We will be starting a 21-Day Daniel Fast on January 17th and ending February 6th. Worshippers will have a 7 day or 14 day option as well (each worshipper chooses the length that is right for him/her.) The purpose of spiritual fasting is to disciple our food intake for a specific period of time to draw closer to God and to hear from Him.

Types of Fasts:

Liquid Only
Daniel Fast (partial fast)
Give up specific thing (sugar, caffeine, etc.)

Ideas for Denials in addition to food:

Give up Social media
Give up TV/Entertainment
Give up eating out
Give up complaining
Consciously put others before yourself

Why should I fast?

Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
Do you desire to know God’s will for your life?

HELPFUL HINTS TO SUCCEED

PREPARE
Before you start the fast let your family know the purpose, plan and the benefits.
PLAN
Create menus, along with your shopping lists each week. Decide what you will eat and not eat during the 21-Day Daniel Fast.
PURPOSE
Establish what you would like to accomplish during this time based on the purpose of our Daniel Fast. Set up a daily calendar having set times to pray, read and meditate on our Daniel Fast scripture reading.
PARTICIPATE
Sharing in the experience with others is important to hold you accountable and also to encourage you to keep going. Do everything to stay on track. Attend church, get a prayer partner or join a prayer group and remain faithful to Bible Study on Wednesdays from 7pm - 8pm.
EXPECTATION
As you commit to the 21-Day Daniel Fast, believe and expect God for clarity and direction, salvations, breakthroughs and healings, for yourself, family and friends.
CHECK UP
If you have concerns or are currently experiencing any medical health or physical conditions, consult your health professional before going on the Daniel Fast or making any major dietary changes. The 21-Day Daniel Fast is voluntary and is in no way a mandatory action for our church.

WEBSITES
www.daniel-fast.com             www.danielfastwordpress.com www.jentezenfranklin.org      www.ultimatedanielfast.com
BOOKS
The Daniel Fast: Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body by Susan Gregory

The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola

The Daniel Fast for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer L. Towns
ORGANIC GROCERY STORES
Eating organic fruits and vegetables is not required, but an option.
Albertson's                       Whole Wheatery
Vons                                     Trader Joes
Sprouts                            And Others

IMPORTANT NOTE
THIS IS A VOLUNTARY FAST AND IS NO WAY A MANDATORY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY FOR OUR CHURCH. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER YOUR OWN PERSONAL HEALTH SITUATION BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY TYPE OF FASTING OR EXERCISE ROUTINE. SOME MAY HAVE TO CONSULT THEIR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AS WELL BEFORE ANY PARTICIPATION IN THE DANIEL FAST.

Beginning Sunday, January 17, 2021 as a congregation and as an extended body of believers, we will start a 21-Day Daniel Fast. The Daniel Fast is a biblically based method of fasting that we will use as we enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.
THE PURPOSE

To seek God for clarity and direction concerning His purpose for our personal, family, professional and ministry lives together.
To hear from God on how to best seek out and minister salvation to those who are lost all around us.
To expect supernatural breakthroughs wherever needed.
To expect our health to spring forth speedily and mightily.

THE PLAN
Joel 1:14 - "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord."
The 21-Day Daniel Fast will incorporate a very healthy eating plan, which includes natural products (fruit, vegetables and whole grains).

DIETARY GUIDELINES
When the Prophet Daniel fasted, he abstained from meat, "pleasant" food and wine. (Daniel 1:9-16, Daniel 10:2-3; Daniel 9:3). The Daniel Fast is based on consuming natural products - vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and whole grains and abstaining from sugar, meats and animal products.
Please make sure to read the label when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free.

STOP FOODS
Foods to avoid in your diet during the Daniel Fast.

All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

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.

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.

All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Note: You may choose to drink as much water as needed.

FOODS
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, 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, rice milk, almond milk.

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.