In the Waiting for your Boaz Prayer Closet group on Facebook, a lady presented this question;
What exactly is the Daniel Fast?
Ironically, my husband and I are planning to begin this awesome fast soon, so I wanted to share with you my experiences over the years with the Daniel Fast, and why you should consider doing it as well.
As of lately, I haven’t felt the best. I’ve had some complications with my blood pressure, dealing with overwhelming anxiety, and just having a hard time connecting with God.
The other night I was praying to God, He told me to start the Daniel Fast.
I’m starting tomorrow, and I honestly can’t express how excited I am. I have been trying to mentally prepare myself for this fast, because I am believing God is going to break chains in my life physically, mentally, and spiritually.
What is Fasting and Why Should I do it?
Fasting is a great way to connect with God. When you fast you telling God, “I want you more than I want food.” Fasting is a way of denying your flesh in order to connect with your spirit.
There are a million reasons you can fast. Whether you need guidance in your life, want a closer walk with the Lord, need healing in your heart and mind, or simply want to walk in a lifestyle of obedience to God, fasting is a great way to advance in your walk with God.
The benefits of fasting are numerous. Personally, I am fasting for the spiritual, physical, and mental benefits. Spiritually, I want a closer walk with the Lord. I feel like God wants to take this ministry and my relationship to a whole new level this year, and I want to be ready for whatever God speaks. Mentally, I HAVE to overcome these panic attacks and anxiety. I need more mental clarity and peace. Physically, I hope to lower my blood pressure and to gain the energy that I need and have been lacking lately.
If you are seeking healing in your mind, body, and/or spirit, the Daniel Fast is for you.
Where Did the Daniel Fast Originate?
The wonderful thing about the Daniel Fast is you can customize it to fit your needs. Before starting the Daniel Fast, consult your doctor. Here are the verses in the Bible from which the “Daniel Fast” originated.
- Daniel 1:12, says, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
- Daniel 10: 1-2, says, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
Daniel had a need. He presented his iniquities to God. He denied his self of his flesh and God heard His cries. Daniel lived a lifestyle of fasting and prayer. In fact, many men of the Bible lived that kind of lifestyle, including Jesus.
What are the benefits of the Daniel Fast?
As I mentioned before, the benefits of fasting are numerous. The Daniel Fast has been known to cure even physical ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
Below I will list some of the benefits
Spiritual Benefits
- brings you closer to God
- causes us to rely heavily upon God’s grace
- looses chains of addiction
- brings clarity and guidance for situations
- makes you more sensitive to God’s voice
Physical Benefits
- detoxes body
- develops a healthy appetite
- improves skin
- relieves pains caused by sugar and processed foods
- promotes hormonal balance
- improved energy levels
- breaks caffeine and/or sugar addictions
Mental Benefits
- increases peace
- reduces anxiety and nervousness
- improves mental clarity
- reduces brain fog
- clears out toxins in your body that affect your mind
- improves mood
- reduces sluggishness and depression
What Can I Eat on the Daniel Fast?
If you are not already a fan of fruits and vegetables, you’re going to become one. The Daniel Fast includes but is not limited to:
Fruits
Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries Cantaloupe, Cherries,
Coconuts, Cranberries, Dates, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Melons, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Melons, Nectarines, Oranges, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangerines, Watermelon,
Vegetables
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green beans, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard greens Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Yams, Zucchini,
Whole Grains
Amaranth, Barley, Brown rice, Millet, Quinoa, Oats (groats soaked), Whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas,
Legumes
Black beans, Black-eyed peas, Kidney beans, Lentils, Pinto beans, Split peas,
Nuts & Seeds
All nuts (raw, unsalted), Almonds, Cashews, Chia seed, Flaxseed, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts,
Liquids
Water (spring, distilled, filtered), Vegetable juice (fresh pressed), Coconut milk, Almond Milk,
Spices, Herbs & Oils
soy products, vinegar, tofu, himalayan salt, seasonings, olive oil, canola oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil
**Remember**
Always choose the organic/frozen option when you can. But if your budget doesn’t permit that, know that God honors the obedient heart. God looks more at the state of your heart rather than technicalities, just do the best that you can.
What Foods Should I Avoid On the Daniel Fast?
The main things you want to avoid on the Daniel Fast include but are not limited to:
Wine, Meat, Fish, Dairy, Table Salt, Leavened Bread, Refined/Processed Foods, Soda, Sugar, Sweeteners, Deep Fried Foods, Solid Fats, & Coffee.
What to Expect on the Daniel Fast
From my own personal experience, the first week of the Daniel Fast was difficult. My body was detoxing from all of the sugar and processed foods I had become used to eating, and I suffered from headaches and lack of energy. By about eight days in, my body began adjusting to the wholesome foods I was eating and I had a burst of energy.
I had never felt better in my life both physically, mentally, and spiritually. I felt more in tune with God, and had much more mental clarity. It takes time for your mind, body, and spirit to adjust, so just give yourself grace and PRAY when you begin to feel weak. Towards the end of the fast I didn’t even crave sugar or meat anymore.
My body was really enjoying the wholesome foods it was getting and for a long time I stuck with a diet of mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you decide to go 10 or 21 days (or however long you feel led to do so) be sure to slowly add foods back in your diet, you don’t want to make yourself sick. Overall, you are going to be AMAZED at how far you will come spiritually, mentally, and physically by starting the Daniel Fast.
My Challenge to You
My challenge to you is to dig deep into God’s word during this fast. Develop a habit of running to God daily, and laying at his feet as He speaks peace over you. If you are able to do so, take the time and money you would have spent on a mean eating out and feed someone else who may need it. Bless someone else because of how God has blessed you. Share your food with the hungry.
God bless you all. <3
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”
~Isaiah 58:6-9~
Other Resources You May Enjoy
Here are a few books on the topic of Daniel Fasting that you may enjoy!
**Affiliate links**
I think that this is a fabulous diet, one which absolutely should be permanent, not a temporary fast. Trust me, you add those foods back in and you will become addicted to them again and your health will plummet, as will your ability to connect with God (with the exception of natural sweeteners, especially honey). Everyone who wants to be healthy and have a close walk with God needs to make a diet like this their normal, permanent diet.
Having said that, this is really not a fast at all. This is a dietary change. This is almost my normal diet (except that I avoid oil and enjoy natural sweeteners), and the normal diet of many others, many of whom derive little to no significant spiritual benefit.
From what I can tell, what you described as what you would do is not actually in line with either of the things that Daniel did. The first example is a very strict fast: nothing but boiled vegetables. Clearly, this is not what you recommended or said you did, so this verse really has nothing to do with what you are calling the “Daniel Fast”. As for the fast that Daniel did when he was seeking God in chapter 10, this is still not what you described.
You see, Daniel said that he ate no “pleasant food”. This means more than just eating no meat or dairy, or even skipping out on cookies and deep-fried foods. Given the choice of words, he basically refused to eat any food he really liked. I daresay he used absolutely no seasonings or oil, either.
If you really want to do a fast where you deny your flesh like Daniel did, you should consider a diet of only boiled or steamed vegetables, grains and legumes with no seasoning of any kind. No fruit, unless there are some fruits you don’t much like. I would also say that, if you were to make unleavened bread, you should not use any oil or salt, just flour and water. I’ve done this before and it’s pretty bland.
Don’t get me wrong; the diet you described is a GREAT idea. Like I said before, I think everyone should have such a diet long-term, not just for a couple of weeks. I especially appreciate the fact that you included dairy and coffee as things to cut out, as these are two of the worst things in the Standard American Diet. I just don’t believe it is a true Daniel Fast.
Of course, if you are used to the “SAD”, then a true Daniel Fast likely would be too hard on your system. I mean, the detox would be seriously hardcore. But for someone who has a fairly healthy diet to begin with, this really doesn’t go far enough. In short, if it is something you could live on for your whole life, enjoy your food, and be healthy, it probably doesn’t qualify as a fast. In your case, it would be more accurate to call it a detox.
I hope many of your readers follow your example!