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Abounding Grace Ministries: Daniel Fast 2019 | January 9th – 30th
“Sometimes you are so hungry, the only way to be fed is to fast.”
During the month of January, we set aside a season of prayer and fasting at Abounding Grace Ministries to seek God and believe Him for miracles in our lives. We would love for you to also join us to pray for the needs of our city, nation, families, and homes.
Purpose: Feed your soul, strengthen your spirit, and renew your body.
What is fasting?
First, fasting is always about food. The definition of a biblical fast is “to restrict food for a spiritual purpose.” The Hebrew word for fast is tswon (tsoom) which means “to cover the mouth.” The Greek word for fast is nesteuo (nace- tyoo-o), which means “to abstain from food.” Whenever fasts are mentioned in the Bible, they are accompanied with a spiritual issue. So when we consider biblical fasting, it always has to do with restricting food for a spiritual purpose.
In addition to restricting or changing our eating habits, fasting always has to do with our spiritual life. Without that aspect, it’ s just a diet… This may come as a surprise to you, but fasting isn’t for God. He is not going to think you are a better Christian or a more spiritual person because you fast. Your worth to God is totally dependent on Christ, who made you valuable and acceptable to the Most High God on the cross.
Instead, fasting is for you. It’s a spiritual tool that God has created to help you strengthen your spirit, learn self-control of the flesh, draw closer to your Father and focus on prayer.
Four Kinds of Fasting
(from Dr. Rex Russell’s book What the Bible Says About Healthy Living; Regal Books, 1996; see Appendix 1)
1. The Normal Fast is going without food for a definite period during which you ingest only liquids (water and/or juice). The duration can be 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, or 40 days. Extreme care should be taken with longer fasts, which should only be attempted after medical advice from your physician. [Jesus (Matt. 4:2)]
2. The Absolute Fast allows no food or water at all, and should be short. Moses fasted for 40 days; but this would kill anyone without supernatural intervention, and should never be attempted today. Be sure to test the spirit that tries to talk you into a 40-day fast, even if it includes liquids. [Ezra (Ezra 10:6); Queen Esther (Esther 4:16); Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:9); Moses (Deut. 9:9, 18; Exod. 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8)]
3. The Partial Fast is one that omits certain foods or is on a schedule that includes limited eating. It may consist of omitting one meal a day. Eating only fresh vegetables for several days is also a good partial fast. John Wesley ate only bread (whole grain) and water for many days. Elijah practiced partial fasts at least twice. John the Baptist and Daniel with his three friends are other examples of those who participated in partial fasts. People who have hypoglycemia or other diseases might consider this kind of fast. [Daniel (Daniel 10:2-3); Elijah (1 Kings 17)]
4. A Rotational Fast consists of eating or omitting certain families of foods for designated periods. For example, grains may be eaten only every fourth day. The various food families are rotated so that some food is available each day.
What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast in which some foods are restricted. It is a biblically based fast fashioned on the experience of the prophet Daniel. Remarkably, the Daniel Fast has become one of the most popular forms of fasting, perhaps because it is not as demanding or daunting as eating nothing for many consecutive days. Instead, the eating plan for the Daniel Fast is similar to a vegan diet (completely plant-based with no animal products), though somewhat restrictive.
The Daniel Fast is based on Jewish fasting principles and the experiences of the prophet in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. According to these portions of scripture, Daniel drank only water, ate only fruits and vegetables – no animal products are consumed including fish, shellfish, dairy products or eggs. Daniel abstained from meat, “pleasant” food and wine – so we eliminate sweeteners, candy and desserts from the Daniel Fast, along with alcohol – even in recipes. We also eliminate leavening products, including yeast, baking powder and baking soda.
FOOD – What can I eat?
Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.
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.
Remember: More liquids, less weight
If you haven’t been drinking enough water, your body may have developed a pattern of storing water. This water retention equals extra unwanted weight.
By increasing fluids during the Daniel Fast, you are flushing out toxins and teaching your body that it no longer needs to store water. Drink hot water with lemon slices throughout your day, especially before eating, to help reduce fluid retention. Be sure the water is filtered and free from chemicals.
Love those hunger pangs!
So often when we have hunger pangs, we rush for snacks or something that will make it go away. But some little insights about hunger pangs may have you making a different choice.
I love this one: hunger pangs actually mean that your body is using stored fat in our body. So if you want to lose some weight during the Daniel Fast, then welcome those hunger pangs.
Dehydration often sends a message that “reads” like hunger. So instead of grabbing a snack . . . go for a tall glass of filtered water!
Finally, hunger pangs often pass after a few minutes. So when you sense hunger… wait it out.
Remember, this is a fast!
It’s important to keep in mind that we are on a fast, which is restricting food for spiritual purposes. So while we can eat as much food as we want and any time we want . . . we want to keep in mind that we are fasting.
I encourage people to stick with three modest Daniel Fast meals and one or two small Daniel Fast snacks. The average-sized adult should drink about 1/2 gallon of filtered water each day.
Resources: (All information in this packet is from these two sources.)
1. www.daniel-fast.com – on this website you can find all sorts of helpful information as well as some recipes and meal options.
2. Susan Gregory’s book, The Daniel Fast.
Optional Devotional:
YouVersion: 21 Day Fast Reading Plan www.bible.com
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