There are two references to fasting in the book of Daniel, from which the concept of the “Daniel Fast” is derived. Chapter 1 describes how Daniel and three of his friends decide to eat only vegetables and drink only water. At the end of the period of 10 days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and turned out 10 times smarter than the other people who ate the lavish food from the royal table. In chapter 10, Daniel fasts again, abstaining from “pleasant foods” like meat, wine, etc. And at the end of 21 days, God reveals to him one of the greatest prophecies for the last times.
The purpose of Christian fasting is to seek a more intimate relationship with God, while releasing the physical body from unnatural and self-gratifying foods and drinks. Your focus should be in God and not in the carnal things of the world. The purpose of fasting is to divert our eyes from the things of this world to focus entirely on God. The Daniel Fast is a powerful spiritual discipline. By associating fasting and prayer, one can open themselves to the Holy Spirit of God. Having a sincere desire to seek God, you can approach Him with a contrite and repentant heart, and He will minister to you in a mighty way. the amazing power of God is transformative and you will know that with God, all things are possible. The book of Acts records believers fasting before making important decisions
Begin the fast by focusing on your faith. Worship God, and always love Him more than the goods with which he has blessed you. You must spend your days in prayer. While fasting, you should increase the frequency with which you pray at least 3 times a day. Take time out of your daily routine to be closer to God through the study of his word in the Bible.
The Daniel Fast: The Guidelines
The basic guidelines of the Daniel Fast include eating:
- Fruits
- Seeds
- Vegetables
- Only Drink Water
- Natural Fruit Juices
Daniel’s Fast must eliminate all meats, sweets, French fries, bread, and Fried food. With these things listed, it’s concluded that any food that contains artificial additives, chemicals, or has been processed, should be avoided completely during the fast. Fruits and vegetables are the basis of the Daniel Fast and they can be acceptably prepared in a variety of ways.