DANIEL FAST GUIDELINES
Now Peter, James, John and Jesus returned from the Mount of Transfiguration and found the remaining Disciples arguing with Jewish scribes. Those Disciples had just tried to expel a dangerous demon from a young boy but were not successful in doing so, despite having performed exorcisms before.
When the boy’s father came to Jesus and told Him that his Disciples inability to heal his son, Jesus said “bring the boy to me” . . . and He healed him. Afterwards, the Disciples approached Jesus and asked why they could not heal the boy. Jesus said: “This kind can come out by nothing but Prayer and Fasting.” Mark 9:17-29
Fasting demonstrates the depth of one’s desire, when praying for something. Jesus is saying that to do God's work, we need both faith in Him and power from Him. Prayer is the faith. Fasting is the Power!
Have you tried the Power of Fasting? Daniel tells us how to do it:
“I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:13
Purpose: The purpose of fasting is to strengthen you spiritually, mentally and physically. The goal is to help cleanse your temple of the destructive and negative forces that interfere with your relationship with God. Through Fasting, your ability to hear, see and accomplish God’s plan will become clearer. During the Fast, you will gradually eliminate the toxic and degenerative foods from your diet and rebuild your body with healthier choices.
Instructions: It is important that you STRIVE to eliminate each of the following for the entire 21 days:
- Junk food and snacks
- Beverages with caffeine, carbonation, corn syrup, fructose and sugar
- Television, movies, social media, video games and radio. You want to quiet the noise that feeds your subconscious mind (Suggestions: watch Sermons, listen to Gospel Music and/or “Grace for Purpose Prayers” (YouTube)
- Addictive habits such as Alcohol, Smoking, Gossiping, etc.
Use this time to draw nearer to God by choosing to focus more deeply on Prayer, Bible Study, being still and listening to hear God’s voice and reviewing the closing scenes in the life of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
DO DRINK PLENTY WATER (in addition you can drink lemon water and herbal teas)
SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THIS OR ANY FAST ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE ANY ILLNESS OR CONDITION WITH NUTRITIONAL IMPLICATIONS SUCH AS DIABETES, HEART, LIVER OR KIDNEY DISEASE.
Options: Choose one of three Fasting options. You will want to consider any needs you have based on medications and personal preferences.
Option 1 - The Daniel Fast (Google it)
Option 2 - Custom - You designate the foods/activities you abstain from
Option 3 - Cleansing the temple of Red Meat (guidelines attached)
You select the length of your fast. It may be as little as 6 hours or as much as 24 hours.
Results: Healthier lifestyle choices help each of us to be more constructive, impactful workers for God as we move away from negative habits, i.e., overeating, impulsive eating, addictions, lack of exercise. Our bodies will feel better, we will look better and our attitudes will be more pleasant.
The option you choose should serve as a catalyst for living a more divine life and becoming an instrument for God. Pray and ask God to help you stick to your desire/decision to Fast. Whenever you are tempted, and you will be tempted, lift a prayer to God and walk on in Faith!
OPTION 3 - CLEANSING THE TEMPLE
RENEWAL HEALTH PLAN (IDEAL FOR MEAT EATERS)
SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THIS OR ANY FAST ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE ANY ILLNESS OR CONDITION WITH NUTRITIONAL IMPLICATIONS SUCH AS DIABETES, HEART, LIVER OR KIDNEY DISEASE.
DAY 1-2 Eliminate all Red Meat (Pork, Beef and Lamb)
DAY 3 Eliminate Chicken, Turkey & Fish
DAY 4-5 Eliminate Dairy Products (Milk, Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Ice Cream, Dairy Dressings - Ranch, creamy types, Blue Cheese). Alternatives: Egg Substitutes, Soy Milk and other Plant Based Milk, Butter and Cheese Substitutes, Olive Oil
DAY 6-7 Eliminate White Rice and all Bread. Substitute Brown Rice (cook with Olive Oil and Fresh Pressed Garlic)
DAY 8 Eat Steamed and Raw Vegetables and Fruit. You may include one serving of Starch (Potatoes or Brown rice) or Beans
DAY 9 Eliminate all Starches, Beans and Peas (Green Beans are acceptable). Eat Steamed and Raw Vegetables and Fruit only
DAY 10 Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables only (include Salads with plenty of Leafy Vegetables)
DAY 11 Drink Fruit and Vegetable juice ONLY. CAUTION- Vegetable Juices may have added salt, preservatives and sweeteners. Fresh Pressed Juices may be purchased from Health Food Stores. (PRAYER, RELAXATION and REST IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ON THIS DAY).
DAY 12-13 Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables only
DAY 14 Add Steamed Vegetables and Fruits
DAY 15-16 Add Brown Rice (cook with Olive Oil and Fresh Pressed Garlic)
DAY 17 Add Whole Grain Bread only (Whole Wheat, Oat, Buckwheat)
DAY 18-19 Add Vegetable Protein (Tofu), Beans and Sprouts
DAY 20-21 Review your successes - continue to crowd out meats, add lots of a variety of vegetables every day. Eliminate Red Meats. Eliminate Shellfish - they're the scavengers of the sea and are thus “unclean”.
Continue to eat “clean" meats, eat more vegetables, with the ultimate goal of totally phasing out meat if possible.
After the fast, eat light meals and add food back gradually to avoid illness.
Pray a prayer of gratitude and celebrate your victory!!
“Food” for Thought:
Keep your eyes on the prize!
Pray for strength for this journey. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14). Lord deliver us from sin, so we won’t let the devil win.
Contributors:
Dr. Robert Lawrence Salter
Beverly Johnson, Certified Nutrition, Health and Wellness Coach
Bible Discovery Center Prayer Committee – Sharon Pettaway-Coordinator, Sheila Love, Bonita Sirls