Before You Fast

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, til three whole weeks were fulfilled. 

Daniel 10:3 

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision 

Daniel 10:7

This is designed to provide information and instruction regarding Prince of Peace Evangelistic Center Church corporate 21 day Daniel Fast from January 11 – January 31st. This booklet contains information on why we fast, what is a Daniel Fast, what foods to eat on the Daniel Fast, what activities to engage in and not to engage in, and it concludes with a prayer guide outlining scriptures and a prayer focus for each of the 21 days of the consecration. Please read this information thoroughly.

WHAT IS THE DANIEL FAST?

The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting that men, women and young people all over the world are using as they enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.

There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel Chapter 1the 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 Chapter 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.

Finally, with all the above puzzle pieces, we conclude that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed on the Daniel Fast.

Be sure to read the ingredients on labels of prepared foods to make sure they only include Daniel Fast friendly ingredients.

WHY FAST?

In Matthew Chapter 6, Jesus gave us specific direction on how to live as a child of God. That pattern addressed three specific duties of a Christian: Giving, Praying and Fasting. Jesus said, “when you give…when you pray…when you fast”. He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life.

FASTING, PRAYING AND READING GOD’S WORD GO HAND IN HAND. 

When you fast, also pray for God’s purpose and plan for your life to be revealed. Fast and pray about every major decision in your life. Simply put, fasting is a way to conquer the physical and open the door to the supernatural in your life. When you deny your body and focus more on God, you feed your spirit and grow closer to the Lord.

CORPORATE FAST VERSUS PRIVATE FAST

A corporate fast is a joint fast done by believers for a specific purpose that can yield powerful results. Although this fast involves others, it is also very much a “private and personal experience between you and God”. Esther called all her people to fast for protection against danger (Esther 4:16). Samuel declared a fast for national revival (I Samuel 7)

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

THE DANIEL FAST FOR THE SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY

The Bible teaches us that we are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body. The Daniel Fast affects all three parts of us as we enter into a period of time for focused prayer and fasting.

THE SPIRIT

Our spirit is that born-again part of us that surrenders to God and then abides with the Father and the Son. Our spirit is filled with the Holy Spirit when we yield to Him. During the Daniel Fast, we want to put our spirit in charge of the other two parts of us. When our flesh is acting out with a craving, we take control of it with our spirit (just as a parent takes control of a rebellious child).

Fasting is always coupled with a spiritual goal. So during this time of fasting, you will want to focus on prayer, study and meditation.

THE SOUL

Frequently referred to as “the flesh” in the Bible, the soul is also greatly impacted during the Daniel Fast. The soul is the seat of our emotions, intellect, personality and will. It is in the “soulish realm” where we experience cravings, frustration, anger . . . and even happiness.

During the Daniel Fast, your soul may very well rebel against the dramatic change in your diet. Experiencing and winning this battle over the flesh is often one of the most powerful lessons of the Daniel Fast.

THE BODY

Certainly, our bodies are affected as our diet is changed, for some in very dramatic ways, during the Daniel Fast. Many men and women experience detoxing from caffeine, chemicals and sugar. The symptoms are most often headaches, leg cramps, fatigue and malaise. However, rest assured that your body will benefit from this time of cleansing and detoxing

PRAY

Begin praying for you fast before it begins. Ask the Lord to reveal His plans for you in this consecration. Be ready for a revelation that will transform you. 

READ YOUR WORD

the Lord speaks to us through His Living Word. no matter what unique situation you may be facing during this fast the Word of God will be your key to understanding it all. 

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NLT)

GET A JOURNAL

So much will be revealed during this time with the Lord. The process of journaling will provide you a necessary outlet for capturing and expanding your thoughts to document what you hear from God. 

FIND A PRAYER PARTNER

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! You have; your church family along for the ride during this fast. Rely on a trusted friend or family member to pray for and with you. they can help keep you accountable and help problem solve during discouraging times. 

LIFE IS NOT STOPPING FOR THE FAST

You will be around people who do not understand or support the idea of fasting. People you deeply love may try to tempt you to break your fast. Try, to prepare for social events by praying and eating ahead of time to make sure you get through interactions without compromising your fast. 

WHAT IF YOU HAVE HEALTH ISSUES?

Fasting should never bring harm to the body. And if you have concerns, be sure to consult your health professional before going on the Daniel Fast or making any major dietary change.

The Daniel Fast is a very healthy way to eat! So health professionals will support this eating plan, but might suggest a few modifications if you have health issues that need special attention. For example, pregnant and nursing mothers might get instructions to add fish, chicken and cheese into the Daniel Fast, but otherwise stay the course. Diabetics may need to add more carbohydrates or include chicken and fish. Also, those who are especially active either through sports, bodybuilding or vocation may need to slightly alter the eating plan.

We encourage you to check with your doctor if you have special health concerns!

BEFORE THE FAST STARTS

Start cutting back on restricted foods about a week before the fast begins. Reduce your intake of caffeine, meat, dairy, sugar, and processed foods. Doing so will help your body adjust to the Daniel Fast and also reduce the severity of any unpleasant side effects. Also, it's a good idea to increase your water consumption before your fast begins. 

PLAN YOUR MEALS

Start making complete Daniel Fast meals. This is a great way to experiment with different flavors to find what you like and don't like. if you wait until the fast starts to begin cooking, you may find yourself with meals less than satisfactory, and increase your risk of breaking your fast out of desperation and misery. Create an itemized daily menu full of snacks, meals and drinks. the key to success with the food portion of the Daniel Fast is proper planning. It will save you time in the long run and help prevent the frustration of trying to decide at the last minute what to eat. having a plan will also keep you from indulging in foods that don't fall within the Daniel Fast guidelines. 

GET YOUR KITCHEN READY 

The Daniel Fast is a very hands on endeavor. Unless you have a food service like "Get Fresh Prep", or a private chef, you will need to make sure you have the proper appliances (ex. blender, cutting board, food processor, etc.) and utensils (ex. knives, spatula, garlic press, etc.) before embarking on this three-week adventure. Having the tools you need will make cooking so much easier. Also, clear out any food from the refrigerator and/or pantry that falls on the "Foods to Avoid" list. 

PREPARING FOR YOUR DANIEL FAST:

During the Daniel Fast you will not consume any sugar or sweeteners of any kind, nor will you have any caffeine or artificial chemicals. Many people experience a physical detox during the first few days of the fast including headaches, fatigue, leg cramps and other typical symptoms. You can reduce these effects by weaning yourself from these foods before the fast begins and also by drinking at least 1/2 gallon of filtered water each day before, during and after the fasting period. Anytime you have concern about symptoms you may experience, be sure to contact your health professional. Fasting should never be harmful to the body!

Foods to include 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

All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, oatmeal 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, avocado oil, coconut oil, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.Straight carbonated water is acceptable. Non caffeinated tea. Flavor water/tea with fruits is acceptable. 

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

Avoid All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

Avoid All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

Avoid All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, syrups, molasses, cane juice and artificial sweeteners (i.e. sweet and low, equal, etc.)

Avoid All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

Avoid 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.

Avoid All deep fried foods

Avoid All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Avoid Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

These lists are intended to provide information regarding the foods considered to be authentic Daniel’s fast foods. Each year our members are encouraged to seek the Lord for themselves regarding how to apply these guidelines. It is not our intention for these guidelines to be approached with a legalistic attitude while at the same time we do wish to have 21 days of unity and spiritual cohesiveness during this time of corporate consecration. In the past years, members have made various modifications such as adding dairy or some have added pure fruit juices with no sweeteners or non-caffeinated herbal tea with no sweeteners. Since there are no “food police” or “fasting monitors” in the congregation, we ask that you follow the basic guidelines of no meats of any kind, no sweets (desserts) of any kind and do your best to focus on eating things from the earth. Remember, what one person may feel at liberty to eat during the consecration, another may not so please be sensitive to your brothers and sisters who may be in a different place in their spiritual walk. So with this in mind, pray and fast. Challenge yourself to extend yourself out of your comfort zone. Sacrifice your old eating habits and give up your comfort foods for these 21 days and believe God that HE will see you through.

In Twenty Twenty Three We Are Fasting For: 

1. Being in the right place with God, I want to be where God is not where God was.

2. Be willing to be what He says I am, to have what He says I have , and to do what He says I can 

  do. Allowing God's word to establish and settle me. 

3. Seeking God's wisdom for personal direction & instruction for this season, Fresh anointing for a 

   new season. 

4. personal spiritual growth and maturity, I'm ready to obey now. 

5. greater sensitivity and increased capacity for 

a. God's presence

b. His Word in my daily life

c. learning to be lead of the Holy Spirit

6. using the faith I have to get the faith I need and worship my way through.

7. removing the old so God can do the new in me. 

Now you keep adding to this list. 

7 Things You Can Expect….

1. You can expect it to be challenging and difficult. This will take discipline and focus on your part. Disciples are known by their discipline.

2. If you’ll stick to your commitment to the Lord you should see a great increase in your faith and personal spiritual transformation.

3. God may answer your request during this 21 days, and he may not. There is no way for God's people to know exactly what God is going to do in us. We do know that the emphasis to invest our faith is simply because He is able and there is nothing impossible to those that believe. During this time we will deliberately draw closer to the Lord. Drawing closer to the Lord is our responsibility.

4. You will be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit in your life. Removing the necessities and distractions of life will add a new sense of clarity to the voice of God. Your hearing and seeing will improve tremendously. 

5. You will have an increased fellowship with God and have a greater understanding of what it means to depend upon Him to meet your needs and spend quality time with the Lord. 

6. You should find yourself praying more small direct prayers throughout the day.

7. You should expect an increase in spiritual tension and resistance from the Devil, but rest in God. . The Joy of the Lord is your strength. 

3 Dangers to guard against... 

1. “God will reward me for this” mentality. Fasting is not the “work” that earns blessings from the presence of God. This is not performance based. Its faith based. 

2. The Pride and Self-righteous attitude that can come with practicing spiritual disciplines. This is not about you being the best disciple; this is about your desire and hunger to keep you humble and draw closer to God.

3. The idea of breaking your fast because you’ve already done enough. Several times during the fast you will think to yourself “I can’t do this any longer”, and you will try to justify breaking your fast since you’ve already done more than ever before. Don’t quit. Stick to your commitment. The best is yet to come. If you break, then begin again and stay with it until the end. 

1 Reason why God rewards fasting... 

God rewards fasting when it’s done with the right heart. Proper fasting confesses that we are helpless without Him, and that we require Him to give us the Hope we need to press on in the world HE created. We choose to honor the Lord with more than our lips, with out lives we present to Him. 

A Message to Families about Prayer and Fasting Together… 

Your children may hear you speak about the upcoming 21 Day Prayer and Fasting Emphasis with much anticipation. They may wonder if this is something that they can do along with their family, and the answer is yes! Explain to your children that fasting will help them grow stronger as a Christian and closer to Jesus. When they take special time out to pray to Jesus and at the same time, take special effort to not enjoy a favorite food/snack item or activity during a certain period of time, they are fasting. As a family, sit down together and talk about for whom or what your children are seeking God about and in which way they are going to fast. Explain to your children that there will be times when they will find it hard to fast and may even want to change their minds in the middle of the fast. However, as parents, gently encourage them and help them keep the commitment they made to the Lord and see how He answers their prayers. Following the 21 Days of Fasting and Praying, sit down with them and talk about what the Lord did during this special time. 

Before you begin the 21 Day Prayer Guide keep in mind your family’s schedule and decide which days of the week you are going to meet together to pray. Be sure to explain in simple words the prayer emphasis for that particular day, so your children can be a part of the prayer time.

Remember that a child’s body needs the proper nutrition and activity as well as rest to keep them healthy and whole. They don’t need to fast complete meals or healthy food choices for days at a time or give up the exercise that playtime affords. Children respond best with a set schedule, so be sure to create one where they will know which days during the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting that they will be fasting and what exactly they are fasting.

Here are some suggestions to help children participate: 

1. Fast their favorite cartoon or TV program, replace with Bible Stories or Scripture2. No Family TV on a specific day/night – use this time to play games or spend family time talking about the Lord3. No “Fast Foods” for all or part of the 21 days4. Fast A special treat or snack (candy, cookies, sweets, etc.)5. A favorite activity (going shopping, playing games, playing video or computer games, etc.) and replace with doing something for others. 6. Reward memorizing scripture. 7. Read bible out loud. 

Daniel Fast Rules:

• NO meats of ANY kind
• NO secular television
• NO secular radio
  
• NO desserts of ANY kind
• NO secular movies
• NO secular music
  
• NO pastries
• NO sports channels
• NO non-work related internet
  
• NO sodas
• NO energy/sports drinks
• NO caffeinated coffee/tea

WHAT CAN I DO?

• Read your Bible• Pray• Study the Word of God (TNT Tuesday Night Teaching on line and Wednesday Prayer Room 6:15 am & 6:15 pm)• Spend quality time with your family• Work towards your vision• Meditate on God’s Word• Exercise (You are the steward of God’s temple)• Evangelize• Visit the sick and shut in• Exhort/encourage others• Watch Christian T.V., news, and educational programs• Listen to Praise & Worship music• Read Christian Books