The 2010 New Year Fast – The Daniel Fast
Praise God! The time is fast approaching for the New Year Fast. So many of us have experienced amazing breakthroughs and a deeper relationship with God during this 21-day period of focused prayer and fasting.
First, let me say that there is no right or wrong time to start the New Year Fast. However, most people will start it at sundown on Sunday, January 3rd. Pastor Jentezen Franklin from of Free Chapel Church (GA and CA) has called the corporate fast he leads to begin on January 10th and conclude on the 31st.
Now if you or your church starts at another time, then all is well. So don’t worry about a specific date or time.
If you want a copy of the Daniel Fast Guidelines emailed to you, please visit http://www.Daniel-Fast.com and enter your first name and email list in the little form. This will subscribe you to the Daniel Fast Community where you will receive occasional emails with fasting tips, recipes, devotions and lots of information about spiritual fasting and the Daniel Fast.
Also, be sure to begin preparing for the fast about 10-7 days before your start date. Drink plenty of filtered water (home filtering is fine) and taper off caffeine, sugar and processed foods.
Lastly, decide your focus for the fast. Most important is to draw closer to God. But this is also an excellent opportunity to seek God for the challenges you may be facing right now.
Be blessed, dear one, as you read these words. I hope you stay in touch as you continue to grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through prayer and fasting.
The Daniel Fast 
Hi Brenda,
Prepared juice can be used in recipes, but the only beverage for the Daniel Fast is water.
Reading the labels is to study the ingredients. If sweetener has been added as in ingredient the contents is not allowed on the Daniel Fast. Most fruits, vegetables and grains contain natural sugar. We need not be concerned about those. It’s when sugar or sweeteners have been added as in ingredient that make a product not acceptable for the Daniel Fast.
Crystal lite would mostly be used as a beverage – and the only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water . . .
Sugar free gum includes sweeteners and/or chemicals – neither of which are allowed on the Daniel Fast.
You can look at the “lite” fruit in cans. It’s usually canned in its own juice rather than having sugar added as an ingredient.
I hope this helps . . . be blessed on your fast.
Hello!!
Well, I just wanted to share that my husband and I were watching Pastor Craig on LifeChurch.tv yesterday. As he spoke about FIRSTS, I felt like God was placing a desire on my heart. I’ve been struggling in my walk with the Lord for the past few years, and it’s time to get back!! So I’m starting my year out by seeking Him! When I started looking stuff up on the 21 day fast, my husband said he was going to do it to. Praise the Lord!! I’m so excited. So thank you for those who were praying for those of us listening to the message!
We started our fast today and I bought and downloaded the Daniel Fast recipe book. I just find it a little confusing. I guess I just really need more specifics. It says we can eat canned fruit, and I’ve seen bits and pieces of people using fruit juice. Does that mean they have made the juice themselves or does store bought work? I know you say read the labels, but even some of the items I bought that are on the list have sugar listed in the nutritional info. Does that mean make sure there are no “real” sugars added in the ingredients?
Crystal light? ok?
Sugar free gum? ok?
canned fruit from store? most of those have sugar in the ingredients, it would be helpful to have more explanation on that.
But THANK YOU for having the info you already do! I’m praying and seeking God….starting off 2011with a body focused on God. I’ll do my best for Him!
I’m praying for those also fasting, may God bless you!
WELL I AM GOING TO START MY OWN ON THE 3RD JAN 2011….. WISH ME LUCK….
Hello I just started the fast for 21 days, today is the third day, I am feeling great, no headaches or craving, Thank God, He is in control. I am looking to be closer to God and believing that this is my year for a break through, I am spending more time studying the word, seems like the words are taking on a different meanings for me.
May God keep using and bless you in all that you do.
Hello Kagisho,
The pure berry juice can be used in recipes, but the only beverage on the Daniel Fast is water (see Daniel 1).
Be blessed!
By the way, one of my most dear friends in all the world is pastor in South Africa. He is in Middelburg. My adult son is there visiting now. I love your country and her people. Praise God!
We have 2 weeks exactly before we finish the fast – our home cell has decided to do a 40 day fast. We thank God for giving us the strength – he has sustained us this far and will continue to do so.
What I do not understand though, is the detail about what foods to eat and what not to eat. I find that the Bible is very clear – fruit and veges, no wine. I’m just summing what Daniel said. As a result, I do not understand why I can’t have a pure berry juice for a fast?? Can you please shed some light.
This could be detox, however it’s likely that you are eating foods that your body is getting used to.
The best thing to do is make sure you chew your food well as digestion begins in the mouth. Food should be almost liquid before we swallow! Also, eat balanced meals with lots of fresh foods as well as whole grains and legumes.
As in all cases, if you become concerned, contact your health provider!
Be blessed.
Hi all,
I live in NC and our church is doing the Daniel Fast for 21 days too, Jan 10-31.
Praying for God’s presence in my life and all of yours as well! Personally, I feel like my first week went okay. I pray this week I dive deeper, spend more time in prayer and am more committed to my menu. (I’m doing Daniel plus plain, grilled chicken.)
Thank you so much Susan, for all your efforts!! This is my first fast…and I am so pleased at how easy it is. My goals are to spend a minimum of 15 minutes reading the Bible each morning as soon as I rise. I started with Daniel, now working on Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John. I think of the time spent, as giving God my firstfruits (TIME). Then I try to get an hour of Bible reading done in the evening.
Saturdays I shop at a fresh vegetable stand (fresher & less expensive than the grocery store). Next is when I spend the most time in the kitchen. I wash all fruits & veggies, and store them in storage containers. I make soup on Saturday, and tofu scramble on Sunday. Both recipes provide ample single servings throughout the week. I make a quick stop at the grocery store for the very few other things that I may need.
Oatmeal I make with cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, dried cranberries, then stir in vanilla extract just before serving. Nice sweetener.
The few cravings I’ve had, have been easily overcome, and I feel GREAT!!
Three small meals and 2-3 snacks do not let me get hungry enough to cheat. The best revelation I’ve had is that God does not expect us to be perfect….only to be obedient and to spend time with Him. It seems so simple, but Satan does his best to distract us!
Thank you again Susan…you have a wonderful ministry going here!! Sorry this is so long…..In Jesus’ name, I ask Him to bless everyone fasting.
I have to write. How strange this all is. I have never heard of the Daniel Fast yet on Sunday, Jan. 3 I felt something in my Spirit saying I need to fast and not just a one day fast but something different. So after much thought, I decided I would give up meat for 21 days. Now I hear about the Daniel fast and wish I would have known more about it sooner as I am already 13 days into my no meat fast. What is even crazier to me is that the more I tried to keep it kind of quiet what I was doing, the more my co-workers have questioned me. I just hope that God will be glorified through this and some eyes and hearts will be opened to the saving grace of Jesus.
Hello. I started the Daniel Fast 8 days ago with my church. The last 3 days I have been experiencing abdominal pain. My husband was feeling the same thing, but his lasted only 2 days. Is this part of the detox process? And what would help? Sometimes the pain lasts all day. I just don’t know what to do. It wears me out. Thanks for your help!
I love the daniel fast cookbook, these are recipes are simple and delicious. I am day 6 of the fast. I woke up this morning this carving for some sausage biscuit, and I just had to say thank God for this oatmeal and raisins. And I read some Philippians 4:13 for strength and I felt so much better and those carvings went away. Praise God for day 6.
Hi Debbie,
This fast is so good for a multiple of reasons!
Regarding the rice cakes – read the label. If the ingredients comply with the Daniel Fast, then they would be okay. The rice cakes I buy are in the natural foods section of my supermarket and the only ingredients are brown rice, salt and water.
Be blessed!
WHEW, almost 6 full days into the 21 Day Daniel fast and I thought I was doing so good till I read some of these comments on food. I have rice cakes, the regular ones, low salt. Are they not ok? And I have not really focused so much on how much we are eating as I am what we (my husband and I are doing this together) are eating.
Yesterday was a day of giving for sure. I donated to a locate group for their efforts to help the Hathians and I gave a pint of blood…. I will tell you I was a little nervous because of fasting….. but I thought Jesus shead his for me and the rest of us the least I can do is maybe pass out from giving some of mine. Well I almost did pass out and when I closed my eyes to pray they made me keep them open, thank God he listens anyway. :o) I made it to today. Another day of giving. Tonight we are opening up our home for a small group meeting of food (ours will be clean) and studying the word together with friends.
Thank you, Susan, for all your posts and emails.
Sweet! God is good!
Hi Sandra,
This is not a requirement on the Daniel Fast, but if you are called to add this to your fasting discipline, then that would be great.
Yes, the Daniel Fast doesn’t have any restrictions about when or how much one can eat. However, it is good to keep in mind that we are fasting. I suggest three moderate meals and two small snacks. Some people like to add the restriction of not eating during the daylight hours, which is totally acceptable, but it is not a requirement on the Daniel Fast.
I hope this helps.
Can we eat during the day like a salad at noon? Or fruit.
God Bless You, I just had a question about the 21 day Daniel fast can we eat during the day? I asked because I did the 21 Daniel fast last year but I didn’t eat veg. or fruit until my 12 hours was over. And should we turn in our fast daily can you tell me some tips please.
Hi Christine,
You are so right, we have to mourn for ourselves, our children and our nation during this fast. I am glad I found this blog. I go to Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s church and we just started the 21 days fast on January 10th, this is my 2nd year, and I saw a lot of results from last year’s fast, I believe God for abundant blessings this year. My goal is to draw closer to the Lord. This site has been a blessing for info on the this fast, God bless everyone.
Praise God our Church Royal Temple Church Of God IN Christ started our Daniel’s fast on 1/1/10. We have all experienced supernatural miracles from God. I know that this my year to prosper more than ever.
My husband & I started the Daniel fast on 1/10/10 and we are expecting a breakthrough in our finances. I admit I was annoyed at the extra food preparation part of it. It’s easier for me as a working woman who cooks dinner & packs lunches daily, to prepare meals without having to think about ingredients or the recipe. However, God gave me an idea last night while I was chopping away making Spicy Vegetarian Chile (it came out great BTW). Bring some to work & share it with a vegan co-worker. The focus came off myself (time/effort required to prepare a Daniel-meal) and turned to blessing someone else wih the love of God. Glory to God!
Hi everyone this is my second time durning the fast, and I tell you GOD not only showed up but out also he showed out. My friend went on it with me also we both enjoyed it. The LORD did GREAT things for us on the last fast and iam looking for even GREATER things on this one. Please keep us in prayer as we go on this WONDERFUL fast and my you be BLESSED.