Daniel Fast
Daniel
10:2-3 & 17-19
The Daniel Fast provides a unique opportunity for
you to draw near to the Lord through prayer and fasting. May the Lord bless you
richly as you hunger for Him! 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: Only fruits and vegetables & 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:
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.
Daniel
10:2-3 & 17-19
Daniel
10:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 In
those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no
pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at
all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Daniel 10:17-19 New
King James Version (NKJV)
17 For how can this
servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me
now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then again, the one
having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not!
Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So
when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you
have strengthened me.”
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.
·
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and
spices.
Foods to avoid on 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.
