The Daniel Fast
This year the St. John Family is doing a church-wide fast:
Feel free to leave a comment under “Food to Eat” or “Prayer Focus”
Scripture Reference: Daniel 1:1-21; Daniel 10; Matthew 6:5-18, Mark 9:29; Isaiah 58 Overview of the Daniel Fast: In the Old Testament book of Daniel we can glean great information regarding biblical accounts of fasting. Daniel was a courageous young man taken into captivity, along with his friends, and deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. The personal traits of the young men qualified them for jobs as servants in the king’s palace. Both Daniel’s physical and spiritual diets were an important part of his relationship with God. He ate carefully and lived prayerfully. One of the perks of being in training for royal service was eating from the king’s table. Daniel quietly refused to give up his convictions and instead chose a simpler menu, proving that it was a healthy choice. He had lived a life of devotion to God and refused to give up the good habits he had formed. While he limited his intake of food, Daniel indulged his prayer life. He puts into practice his convictions, even when it put his life in danger. The Daniel Fast will lead to spiritual insight. “As for these boys, God gave them knowledge and skill” (Daniel 1:17). The application of the Daniel Fast is for more than one day. The young men fasted for at least 10 days (Daniel 1:12, 15). The Daniel Fast is a partial fast. Daniel and his friends ate only vegetables and drank only water (Daniel 1:8-12). Later, in Daniel chapter 10, Daniel fasted for three weeks (21 days). During this time of consecration, he abstained from choice foods and waited on God in prayer concerning the destiny of his people. The application of the Daniel Fast requires abstinence from certain foods. You have freedom in this Daniel Fast to modify it according to your personal physical and personal spiritual needs. You can modify these guidelines as you feel led of the Lord. If you feel that it would be more productive for you spiritually or physically to avoid certain foods and spices, that would be great as well. If you feel led of the Lord to adhere to the Daniel Fast guidelines established for the St. John Church family, we pray that you will do so with determination and commitment. The most important point is to decide ahead of time how you are going to apply the Daniel Fast; then stick to your commitment for the length of time you have decided to fast. The St. John Church family will fast for 21 days. However, if you feel led to fast for a longer period of time that will be acceptable as well. Some people feel that it is good to make a permanent lifestyle change to the Daniel Fast. |
| “But Daniel purposed in his heart…” (Daniel 1:8) |
