Well, friends . . . I tried. But I just couldn’t keep up with the flood of questions that people left on this site during the first week of January. I would answer 50 . . . and 75 more would be posted. Today I answered another 50 or 60 just to bring the total down to 275 awaiting my reply.
You see, I usually answer every question, both on the blog. Plus I send an email response to the individual asking the question.
So early this afternoon I cried, “Uncle!” And so now I have to just start over. All the comments are on the blog — but not all of them are answered.
My compromise is that I am now working on a FAQ that will continue to grow. It will be on http://Daniel-Fast.com/faq.html and I hope you check it out. I will try to make it as complete as is reasonable.
I am sorry, but at the same time this is a sign that more people than ever are entering into the powerful discipline of prayer and fasting.
So, I have a fresh slate and I will try to keep up with the questions as they arrive into my inbox. But please make sure to look for the answer on the blog before you post a question. Also, I am sending those who signed up for the mailing list all kinds of information several times each week. To sign up, please complete the “opt-in” form at www.Daniel-Fast.com
Thanks for our understanding!
alex said,
January 12, 2009 at 2:13 am
Hi Susan. I am starting the Daniel fast today. Pray that I make it.
Joan Pratt said,
January 12, 2009 at 4:59 am
A group of family members did the Daniel Fast Last year. Without it I don’t think that we would have been prepared for the tradegies we suffered. On Feb 15, my nephew who was in his last semister at college was killed in a car accident. From that time until May 5th we lost 8 family members. Through all of this the Lord richly blessed us with good health and finances.
This year we entered the Fast again and are expecting great things to happen. Pray for us and we will be praying for you.
Joan
bobby said,
January 12, 2009 at 6:07 am
dude sorry you are taking such a beating with all these crazy questions… i wish people would not look to you as the authority, but get in the scripture and pray to the Lord what they should give up or not give up. seriously, if you want herbal tea in your daniel fast, pray to the Lord and ask if you can have it. this person is just giving guidelines…
thanks for putting the site up, it has great info… Sorry you are taking such a whippin from the legalist… may God bless you and give you peace, for sharing this page.
Denise Fritts said,
January 12, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hi – this will be my frst year for a Daniel Fast – our church is planing for Jan. 15 through January 25. I was hoping as time progresses that you will be able to include info regarding the huge percentage of the population that is gluten intolerant. Our bodies do not process wheat, rye or barley – gluten creators. It is easy for me not to have processed foods as I don’t now because gluten is used in so many things from canned soups to cereals, etc. We actually can make cookies from sunflower butter that have no eggs, milk, butter or flour – they are totally alergen free. But I would think that even though there are baked and do not have any ingredients from the “avoid” list that they would not be acceptable as they would be considered “pleasurable”. I cannot eat whole wheat pasta – but can eat pasta made from corn, rice and qionoa (a huge part of my diet). Anyway – I am wondering about rice flour, tapioca flour and potato flour as well as rice milk, soy milk and coconut milk for cooking purposes. I read the comments on vegetable juides – however one part of this site does say they are acceptable – it would be less confusing if that were removed. Thanks for all the great info and dedication. It is so appreciated.
Joel Ann Aitkins said,
January 13, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I had a question about sugar free jelly and jams… are they allowed? Also, is Splends allowed?
It is very hard to find tortillas with no yeast at all (wheat tortillas), I just came from the grocery store and could only find them with “less than 2%” of yeast…
Is this ok?
I really want to do this right ! Thanks!
Susan Gregory said,
January 15, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Hi Joel Ann,
The jams and jellies are fruit compote, I believe and if they are free from extra sugar, then they would be okay. They are basically cooked fruit and spices.
Tortillas are a different story. No yeast is allowed. Many people make their own tortillas or chapattis. There are recipes for flat breads in the Daniel Fast Cookbook – Version II.
Be blessed! I know you will do well.
Cheryl said,
January 13, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Hello Susan,
Barilla now makes a ‘whole grain’ pasta – ingr. whole durum wheat flour, semolina, durum wheat flour, oat fiber. Is that okay to use during the fast? C
Susan Gregory said,
January 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Hi Cheryl,
Yes, Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta is a great choice for the Daniel Fast. It’s great that you checked out the ingredients because many other whole wheat pasta has sugar added to it.
Thanks for the question!
Cheryl said,
January 13, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Sorry I never bloged before- I think I was in the wrong section! Thanks for your passion towards educating and helping others with this fast:)
Kaluba said,
January 14, 2009 at 4:54 am
Hi Susan
Our church has called for a daniel fast beginning the 10th of January, you can’t imagine how excited I have been, because time last year after checking out the danielfast website, I went on a fast by myself and have been praying that as a church we may take up the fast and cry out to God for our nation Zimbabwe. My whole family have taken this up, not too exciting for the teenagers but we do urge them on and encourage them, I am so grateful to God for what He is doing in my family and indeed in my church and I think after this period God is going to work wonders. Thank you for this site very help and I get encouragement whenever I log on. God bless you and please continue to pray for our lovely country Zimbabwe
Susan Gregory said,
January 15, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Hello Kaluba,
Thank you so much for writing. I hope to be going to Zimbabwe in April to present at a Women’s Leadership Conference, which is part of a Pastors Conference and a Youth Rally. I am very excited. I have been to Africa many times, but this will be my first time in Southern Africa. I am especially excited to serve the Christian community in Zimbabwe. Please pray for me!
I pray that the Body of Christ in Zimbabwe becomes so bright that the oppressors will no longer be able to threaten it!
Be blessed and thanks for writing!
lawana said,
January 15, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I agree with Bobby. So many people are asking if they can have this and why
can’t they have that. A guide to the foods allowed are listed on this site.
Some people are asking because they don’t want to give up some of their
comfort foods (and tea) during the fast. But, remember a fast is a sacrifice.
That’s the whole point of a fast. Let it go to receive the blessings.
Vanessa said,
January 16, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Hello Susan,
my church started the Daniel Fast on January 4 and so far I have been doing good. We are having prayer in the mornings and evening for an hour. I have made it to the evening sessions. But yesterday when I got off from work I was really feeling weak. I have only been eating fruits and canned veggies. Someone told me it is okay to eat boca burgers (veggie burgers) and ate 2 then I was reading the box and I am not so sure if this is an okay product. I know that God knows my heart and my intention so I do not want to get so wrapped up in whether I have failed the fast by eating the wrong foods or not but I want to Honor God with this fast. Therefore my question is out of curiosity as to whether or not you agree with eating veggie burgers.
ANITA SHELVEN said,
January 17, 2009 at 6:09 pm
To Joel Ann Aitkins,although the word in your (? )is splends ,in case you meant splenda i thought i might respond if you go to the page titled Life With My Kids it will give you info on the Splenda its so artificial and unpure. Hope this helps you. I personally have never been able to tolerate the artificial sugars they make me nausaus and give me migraines.
sorry if i didn’t spell nausaus right. AND IN THE NAME OF JESUS
I PRAY THAT EVERYONE ENTERING THIS TIME OF FASTING CAN STAY GROUNDED IN THE LORD THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE OVERWHELMING BLESSINGS IN ALL AREAS OF THEY’RE LIVES
Sharon Johnson said,
April 24, 2009 at 6:24 am
I started the Daniel Fast Monday 4/20/2009… it gets easier as the days go by. The headaches were bad at first. I only work days a week (mon-wed) so I am really concerned how i will do on my days off. I tried to stock up on the right kinds of food and snacks. Prayer for me.
Susan Gregory said,
May 2, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hi Sharon,
Whoa! Those detox headaches can be a challenge! Lots of water and extra Vitamin C can help. Also, to those who are reading this before you start the fast, consider tapering off caffeine and sugar before you start the fast. Plus, start drinking at least 1/2 gallon of filtered water each day.
Sharon, you are doing the right thing when you plan ahead. Also, I’ve found that if I take my focus off the food and on to developing the fruit of the spirit of self-discipline, then I am more successful.
Be blessed dear one.
lilly said,
November 3, 2009 at 11:56 am
Is avocado ok during the fast to add to salads?
Susan Gregory said,
November 5, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hi Lilly,
Yes, avocados are fine during the fast!
Be blessed!