Your Fasting Guide
Like prayer and Bible reading, fasting is one of the spiritual disciplines of followers of Jesus. The next few paragraphs are here to help you get your mind around fasting, and help you get started in this powerful Christian habit!
What is fasting?
Biblical fasting is, very simply, denying oneself food for the sake of seeking and honoring God. Prayer is connecting with God; fasting is disconnecting ourselves from the World.
Why should I fast?
Over time, it’s very easy for our souls to get “gunked up”. Fasting is a way to give our bodies and our souls a deep cleaning. When we do, we find that not only do we feel better, but as we draw closer to God, we are more in tune with His voice.
How do I fast?
There are several different types of fasts. In this guide and over these next 21 days, we have laid out a plan that will help you detach from some of the distractions of everyday life.
The plan provided in this guide is just that – a guide. Feel free to mix it up, or create your own. The main thing is remember – don’t make this time all about what you eat, or don’t eat. This is all about drawing closer to God and replacing some of our common distractions with time to pray, read our Bibles and seek God like never before. Go for it! You’ll be glad you did.
What should I do while fasting?
Drink lots of water. Pray. Read your Bible. Listen to worship music. Think.
Fasting Options:
Lunch Fasting Information:
This Fasting option is the easiest option but still represents a significant commitment to spiritual growth as we start the new year. In lieu of eating lunch you will dedicate your lunch break to prayer, to the Desperate devotional, to listening to worship music, etc. If a lunch meeting is required for your work during this period you will attend but will commit to fasting during the meeting. (Ps: this brings up some really interesting opportunities for spiritual conversations with co-workers.) Thats it! If you go with this option I would recommend that you start with unlimited eating and drinking outside the lunch hr for week 1. Week 2 fast from breakfast through lunch hr with anything after. Week 3 unless you have caloric or insulin needs commit to fasting from breakfast all the way through to dinner with maybe a few water breaks as needed. That last week will be challenging but I promise extremely satisfying.
Daniel Fasting Information:
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, which means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have generous options available. Because the Daniel Fast is more intensive I have given more information in this guide on how to execute this fast well. We will focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple. We have included a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.
*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.
There are multiple online resources available on the Daniel Fast. One thing you’ll notice is that there are many ways to do the fast. This is, in part, due to the lack of clarity in the bible as to exactly what Daniel did during his fast. However, to keep it simple, I have included in this packet what I believe is the most pure and “hardcore” form of the Daniel fast and some of the resources you could use if you wanted to test yourself with this form. Again fasting is more about a state of the heart than the stomach. If you need to bend in some areas like caffeine or butter then feel free to do so. I would actually recommend for most people to start this in a a partial form and then work up to the last week being a pure Daniel Fast.
Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast…
All fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch for added sugar).
Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Berries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Breadfruit, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Coconuts, Cranberries, Dates, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Grenadine, Guava, Honeydew melons, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Melons, Mulberry, Nectarines, Oats, Olives, Oranges, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
Vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch salt content).
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili peppers, Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger root, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
Legumes:
Dried beans, Black beans, Cannellini, Pinto beans, Split peas, Lentils, Black eyed peas, Green beans, Green peas, Kidney beans, Peanuts (includes natural peanut butter), Beans, Lentils, Lupins, White, Peas
Seeds:
All nuts (raw, unsalted), Sprouts, Ground flax, Cashews, Walnuts, Sunflower, Sesame, Almonds, Natural Almond Butter
Whole Grains:
Whole wheat, Brown rice, Millet, Quinoa, Oats, Rolled Oats, Plain Oatmeal- not instant, Barley, Grits (no butter), Whole wheat pasta, Whole wheat tortillas, Plain Rice cakes, Popcorn (see recipe in FAQ’s)
Liquids:
Water (spring, distilled, filtered), Unsweetened Soy Milk, Herbal (caffeine free) Tea, 100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice (no added sugar)
Other:
Tofu, Soy products, Herbs, Small amounts of Honey, Small amounts of Sea Salt, Small amounts of Ezekiel Bread, Small amounts of Olive Oil, Spices (read the label to be sure there are no preservatives)
Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast…
All animal products including all meat, poultry, fish…
White rice, White bread, All deep fried foods, Caffeine, Coffee (including decaf b/c contains small amount of caffeine), Carbonated beverages, Energy drinks, Foods containing preservatives, additives, Refined foods, Processed foods, Food additives, Refined sugar, Sugar substitutes, Raw sugar, Syrups, Molasses, Cane juice, White flour, Margarine, Shortening, High fat products, Butter, All leavened breads, Baked goods, All dairy, Alcohol, Mayonnaise
Common FAQ’s
What about prepared foods?
Read the labels of all prepared foods. Remember the Daniel Fast is sugar-free and chemical-free. So, if you use any canned fruits, vegetables, packaged foods, or prepared sauces you must read the label to be aware about just what is in there.
What about pasta?
Make sure the label says whole grain pasta with no additives (watch for sugar). Whole grain pasta offers 7 grams of protein per serving (3/4 cup of dried pasta).
I know it says raw, unsalted nuts, but what about roasted nuts?
The goal would be to stick to raw, unsalted nuts. But these are harder to find so in a pinch just make sure you get plain roasted, unsalted nuts with no preservatives.
How do I get enough protein in my diet while on the fast?
The following are protein-rich foods that are allowed on the Daniel Fast… almonds, sunflower seeds, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, split peas, whole grains, and tofu.
What kind of peanut butter is allowed?
A natural peanut butter with no additives…watch for sugars including molasses. Smucker’s creamy natural peanut butter has nothing but peanuts in it.
What about popcorn?
Corn is listed in the vegetables to eat list. You can use a pot on the stove…here is a recipe.
1) Put two tbsp. of olive oil in the bottom of a large pot.
2) Add enough popcorn to cover the bottom of the pan.
3) Turn heat to medium high. Look for the first popcorn kernel to pop.
4) Put the lid on the pot. Using potholders shake the pot over the burner.
5) Continue shaking until you no longer hear kernels popping. Remove from heat.
How can I identify whole grain foods?
Typically if the ingredient lists "whole wheat", "rolled oats", or "whole corn" as the first ingredient, the product is a whole grain food item. Another way to identify whole grains in the foods you eat is to look in the nutritional facts information and check if the food item contains dietary fiber. If it contains a significant amount, it most likely contains whole grains. "Wheat flour" is not a whole grain and therefore does not indicate a whole grain product.
What about salad dressing?
Olive oil and lemon or lime are an option.
Do I need to eat organic foods while on the fast?
No, but it is suggested because organic foods are produced without the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin and without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.
Where can I go out to eat?
Well, you can go anywhere and order cautiously.
What about bread?
We are recommending the Ezekiel bread found in the freezer section of your grocery/health food store.
How much can I eat?
As long as they are the appropriate foods, we are recommending eating until satisfied with no limits.
How to Use this Journal:
Very simply, carve out a quiet time during each meal It’s best to do this before you eat if you are doing the Daniel Fast. Why? Because once you begin eating, there will be a million distractions. Learn to put God first in your time, and He will multiply your time.
During your quiet time, go through the devotional this way:
1. Read: Read the Scripture passage and short commentary
2. Think: Think about what you see that clicks with you. What do you think it means? Are you going through a similar situation?
3. Application: How do you think this Scripture applies to you, personally? What is God trying to say to you through His Word?
4. Prayer: Pray and ask Jesus to make those applications real. Is there something you need to change? Someone you need to speak to? Apologize to? A different way you need to act? Is there something God is asking you to do that you’ve never done before?
Yes, that flow spells: “SOAP.” Cleanse your brain with the Word of God. Easy to remember. You can continue this practice in your daily time with Jesus.
The tendency of fire is to go out; watch the fire on the altar of your heart. Anyone who has tended a fireplace knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally. – William Booth
