When you study the Scriptures, you’ll find that when people fasted it was for a purpose — not just a religious exercise. Daniel fasted from the king’s foods and wine because they had been offered to the Babylonian gods and he didn’t want to defile his body. He later prayed and fasted to “encourage” the prophesied release from captivity for the Israelites from Babylon. And in his third recorded fast, Daniel was seeking solace for the great pressure he felt because of a dream he had experienced.
In the New Testament, people would fast when they needed guidance or answers to prayers. Many times, when the Scripture used the words “by prayer and supplication” it likely referred to fasting.
As you prepare for your Daniel Fast, what will be your purpose? Are their special needs in your family? Is there a loved one who has not accepted Christ? Do you have financial pressures? Is there illness that needs healing? Do you need a new job or help with your business?
Take some time and write down your needs and your purpose for fasting. These will be your subjects of prayer and Bible study. Amazing things happen during times of prayer and fasting! Seek the Lord. He is our Holy God! The Almighty. And nothing is impossible for Him. Call on the Name of the Lord! Prayer opens the doors of our lives so the Lord can perform His works! Ask. Seek. Knock.
Fast with a purpose! And see what the Lord will do!
Jeanette Duncan said,
January 2, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I am really interested in what kind of foods are acceptable and not acceptable. I want to do the right thing in my fasting. I am praying and seeking guidance from the Lord but I would like some suggestions from someone who has done this kind of fast before.
Evangelist Leslie Robinson said,
January 4, 2008 at 9:02 pm
The Doctor told my mother that there is nothing else they can do for her. She has one artery that is pumping blood to her heart, one artery that is completely blocked, and the third artery isn’t pumpingat all. She is 78 years young. She has had a tripple by-pass and angi’s before and they fell that she will die on the table if they operate. I BELIEVE GOD AND I BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN AND WILL UPCLOG HER ARTERIES!!!That is my request along with the saving of my children and grand-childen, and many prayers for others. On this 30 day fast that we are on, I just truly believe God will also open the totally blinded eyes of my husband. IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD???? Please pray with me.
Janna Bee said,
January 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Evangelist Leslie,
I will stand in agreement with you for all that you have requested.
Margarita said,
January 8, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Leslie,
Nothing is too hard for God. Just trust in him and be faithfull. Commit yourself to prayer and believing. Keep in mind that during a fast it is easier for satan to tempt you. If you are fasting for the right reasons which I’m sure you are then you will come out a stronger woman of God. Remember that during Jesus’ 40 days and 40 nights satan tempted him in the garden. I have found journaling to be an important step in fasting. It’s not all about “de-throwning Queen stomach” during a fast. It’s about getting rid of the unecessary things in our life to allow us to focus on God and what he wants for our lives. I’ll pray for a hedge of protection around you and your family.
God Bless you darling
Minita said,
January 12, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I’ve decided to partake in this fast (along with my mother) because I want a closer walk with God. I accepted the Lord in my life at a young age but I always seemed to tread the line between “knowing what is right” and “doing what is right”. I now have three beautiful children and a fiance’ whom I love more than anything. I pray that through this fast God will lead both my fiance and I closer to God so that we may be proper examples for our children to follow.
Charlotte said,
January 15, 2008 at 9:58 am
Margarita,
Just know that I will be in prayer for you and your mother. This may or may not be something you would be willing to look at., but God’s word has incouraged me to tell you about it anyway. A product thats out there that nobody is told about is call Angiprim. I have had serveal people in my life take this product for great sucess. They didn’t have to have any surgery after taking this product. Blessings on you and your family.
Charlotte
Eld. Rad Hopson said,
February 20, 2008 at 9:01 am
Release of the prophetic in the earth and especially in the U.S
Also my prayers are that the miraculous will happen on a consistent basis here in america along with revival.
Pray ye the lord of the harvest to send out laborers, will you labor with me.
Love Rad & Gabby H.
FLOAA said,
March 8, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I HAD THE 2 DAY DANIEL FAST & I BLESS THE LORD FOR ALL HE’S DOING IN MY LIFE ALSO IN MY CHILDRENS’ LIFE. HE IS ABLE!!!!! I WANT TO DO ANOTHER 21 DAY FAST WITH PRAYER: TO SEEK THE LORD FOR FINANCES & DIVINE PEACE OF MIND. I WORRY SO MUCH OF MY KIDS IN A FAR COUNTRY, I’M NOT ORGANIZED ANYMORE. I FEEL ALONE. PLEASE STAND IN AGREEMENT WITH ME THAT GOD OPENS DOORS FOR MY KIDS TO JOIN ME AT HIS OWN PRECIOUS TIME IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.
Susan Gregory said,
March 8, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Floaa,
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; trust not in your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all things and He will direct your paths.
Bless you and your family.
Anna said,
April 1, 2008 at 10:46 am
I pray that the Lord with guide me and give me the strength that I will need for the coming days in my life to be a true testament of his work.
Faith in Action | I’m fasting this week said,
April 9, 2008 at 6:38 am
[...] Because the need is so great, not only am I in a heightened prayer posture this week, but I’m also fasting. My fast started Monday afternoon and will continue until Tuesday. My prayer is very specific and my fast is on purpose. [...]
Zanele Dlamini said,
April 10, 2008 at 8:02 am
I have started my 21 day Daniel Fasting this week and will you stand with me in prayer that the spirit of Haman invading my family, my children and my life bow down during this period. I am also praying for those that are in the same boat and belive in our God we shall be established and believe in His prophets, we shall prosper
Jean said,
June 7, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I started my fast on June 1, and it is very hard for me. However, I have a friend that is fasting with me and know God is able. Before I started my fast I prayed and asked the lord to guide me and give the strength I need. Each is better than the one before and I believe I am going to make it to day 21 Keep the faith!
Elizabeth B. said,
June 17, 2008 at 8:18 am
Although I have fasted before, not the Daniels fast, just a non guided fast for God’s help. He answered my family’s prayer. Here I am a couple of years later and fasting has come many times, but I was never prepared or even inspired. Now many issues are around and something told me to look up Daniel’s prayer for guidance, I’m glad I did. I’m about to purchase the 2 books to walk me through this new experience. There are many needs in the family, not sure how to organize my prayer, as it is I have accepted I have lost focus in my life and now even for prayer. Will I pray for 1 item per day? All together everyday? Is it explained in the book? Perhaps I complicate things too much… Need guidance… Elizabeth B.
Susan Gregory said,
June 17, 2008 at 10:22 am
Good morning Elizabeth,
Thank you for writing and for your very good questions. It is good that you are getting the books since they will answer many questions for you, however the “how to pray” issues are bigger than the books cover.
First of all, read Mark 11:22-24 and I encourage you to study, embrace, and meditate on that portion of scripture the whole time of your fast. I don’t say that to everyone, but in your case, it seems that you have very specific and varied needs.
You ask, “Will I pray for 1 item per day?” Here is my quick explanation:
1. You must first hear from God and what He says about the situation. Find a scripture from His Word, or pray to Him and listen for how He directs. But all our requests must be founded on God.
2. You must choose to believe God. Just as you chose to believe in Christ, you must chose to believe God will do what He says in His Word.
3. You must receive. Just like the scripture says. We live by faith not by sight. When Jesus cursed the fig tree, the death started to happen in the unseen root and then finally, at the very last stage, the leaves withered. The same is often true with our needs. We are to pray and believe that the spiritual world is working out the solution, even before we can see any signs.
4. We must act – faith without works is dead.
So, with all that, pray only for what you have faith to believe. If your faith is weak in that area, then listen to teaching tapes, read scripture, and do whatever you need to do to build up your faith until it is strong enough to believe God and His Word.
I hope this helps. I am going to send you a private email so we can communicate about this a little more.
Be blessed
sherry McCall said,
July 18, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I have just recently discovered the daniel fast through my sister who heard Jensen Graham on tv talking about it. I decided today to start it but realised this even i had messed up already on it. I found some whole wheat tortillias i thought were ok and they had 1 or 2 grams of sugar which i failed to see when i bought them. I also ate a tablespoon of peanut butter which had sugar in it. I am going to start over again tomorrow and try to better prepare myself. I have fasted many times in the past but have never done this type of fast. It sounds wonderful, I am aware that i need to purchase the book so that i will have recipes, thoughts, and neccesary advice to help me. Is there a limit as to how much food to intake at each meal as far as portion sizes ?
Susan Gregory said,
July 21, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hi Sherry,
You have discovered the important step to READ THE LABEL. Most people on the Daniel Fast are amazed at what they have been eating all along without their knowledge! I truly believe this is one of the benefits of the Daniel Fast – we become more conscious of what we are putting into our bodies and therefore can make better choices.
There is not a limit to the amount of food your can eat, however it’s important to keep in mind that this is a “fast.” So even though we don’t have to feel hunger, we do need to search our hearts and make sure we are not allowing our flesh to have a different kind of control. One of the primary purposes of fasting is for our spirit-man to take control of our flesh, which is where our cravings, emotions, feelings, etc reside.
When I am fasting, I try to make a conscious decision about the portions I will eat at meals and at snacks. These are healthy portions and enough to give my body the food it needs. In this way, I can put a “check” on my flesh when I want to grab another helping of almonds or potatoes or whatever.
I hope this helps and I send my very best to you as you enter this powerful experience.
Thelma McClellan said,
October 29, 2008 at 9:31 am
Hello to All:
I began my 21-Day Daniel Fast on Monday, October 27, 2008. My determination is to increase the time I spend in God’s Word and in Prayer so that I may walk strongly and boldly in His Will for my life. During this 21-Day Fast I am also asking God to bless the health of my family and church family in mind, body, and spirit. We need a blessing financially to purchase our current home. A year and a half ago my family and I lost our home because I lost my job and my husband abandoned us. We now have an opportunity to own the current home we live in and I claim it in the name of Jesus.
Thank you all for sharing your journey on this site. Although this is only my third day, satan has put challenges in my way; however, before I started the Fast I asked God to strengthen me to not focus on the food, but to keep my focus on elevating my life with Him. I will complete this Fast and my relationship with God will see tremendous positive changes. I encourage you all to pray whenever a challenge comes your way. Proverbs 3:5-6 the Assurance of Guidance is a promise God made to believers and if you use it in its fullness, you will have success in all areas of your life. We will have challenges, but Jesus has overcome the world, and He can handle any challenge life presents us. Be Blessed, Thelma
william said,
February 20, 2009 at 6:41 am
Nice post on the Daniel fast! I really enjoyed reading it. I just recently wrote an article for a religious publication entitled “Fasting and the Vegan Diet in the Scriptures” that mentions Daniel’s fast. I turned it into a blog you can read here, at http://fastingandvegandietinscriptures.blogspot.com/. May be we could put the Babylonian like meat, milk, and junk food industry out of business if we all joined together to follow Daniel’s example in Babylon.