Focused Fasting 2024 3.0

The Daniel Fast Story

Daniel was among the best and the brightest of the Israelites of his time. In the book of Daniel in the Bible, the backdrop is set: King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had seized Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah, and had taken King Jehoiakam captive and overrun God’s temple.

As the victor, King Nebuchadnezzar had the power to select and “enlist” young Israelite men to serve in his Babylonian palace, and he wanted only the best. So, he chose young men from wealthy, influential families who are strong, handsome and intelligent, and who exhibited strong leadership qualities.

So, Daniel and some of his friends were “enlisted” in a three-year training time prior to entering the king’s service, and King Nebuchadnezzar appointed his chief official to be in charge of them and the other leaders-in-training. Here’s the scenario: Daniel and his buddies—devout Israelites—are placed in a pagan palace to be trained up to serve a pagan king, a process complete with a prescribed diet of food and wine from the king’s own table. Most historians agree that the king’s menu most likely included food that had been sacrificed to idols and/or meat from unclean animals, both of which are strictly forbidden by Jewish dietary customs.

Daniel, being a winsome man of conviction, asks to eat only vegetables and to drink only water instead of what’s on the king’s menu. That request was acknowledged by (not approved by) the king’s chief official, but he didn’t want to risk Daniel and his friends looking unhealthy or frail by not eating what the other recruits ate. Since Daniel couldn’t get the king’s chief official to agree to the veggie and water diet, he asked the guard appointed to care for Daniel and his three friends instead. It took some convincing, but Daniel’s request was granted. Here was the deal. Daniel said, “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” (Daniel 1: 12-13)

The guard agreed. After ten days of only “pulse”—which consists of vegetables, fruits, seeds and grains—and water, Daniel and his comrades were brought before the King. The results? Their health and appearance “appeared better than all the young men who consumed the ‘best’ food of the land from the very table of the king.”

Fast forward three years and beyond—while still eating only the pulse and water diet—and Daniel still outperformed those who ate the king’s delicacies. In fact, the king found Daniel and his buddies were “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Ten times better!

What’s more is that Daniel outlived the king and advised the king’s grandson, Belshazzar, roughly 70 years after the reign of Nebuchadnezzar began! That’s the story of Daniel’s 10-day fast that turned into three years as well as how it benefited him into his later years—which brings me to the 21-day Daniel Fast that is also mentioned in the Bible The tenth chapter of Daniel describes how he ate “no choice food; no meat or wine touched [his] lips” (Dan. 10:3) for three weeks.

At this point in time, Daniel is approximately 85 years old, well beyond the years when he was a young man in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. However, Daniel was still attentive to what God had for him to do, which was also reflected in his diet. For example, in Daniel 10, Daniel gets a vision from God about the future plight of the Jewish people for rejecting the Messiah and the gospel, leading Daniel into a state of sorrowful mourning that leads to his 21-day fast. In Hebrew, the words “choice food” suggest that Daniel refused desirable foods, most likely breads and sweets, or at least foods that were considered tasty. Once again, Daniel trimmed his diet down to the basics—only for sustenance, not an indulgence or personal satisfaction—so that he could focus on the spiritual, not his personal needs or wants. And while there certainly are sp

Fasting is a natural discipline that can bring supernatural results. And, Fasting works when nothing else will. Moses, Elijah, Esther, Ezra, Job, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul even Jesus…fasted.

The Bible is filled with more than 70 references to fasting, but over the last several decades fasting has disappeared from the church and is only beginning to make a resurgence today.

Why Fast?

For the word of God tells us in Matthew 17 that “these kinds come out through fasting and prayer”.  Therefore, we must push our plates back and use the weapons that God has given us.  When you “kill” your flesh, your spirit man becomes stronger.  The spirit, power, and authority of God come alive even more when you fast.  As you humble yourself before God, the grace and favor of God will consume you.

What is Fasting?

Unger’s Bible Dictionary explains that the word fast in the Bible is from the Hebrew word sum, meaning “to cover” the mouth, or from the Greek word nesteuo, meaning “to abstain.” For spiritual purposes, it means to go without eating and drinking (Esther 4:16).

The Fast:

⮚      This is a Partial Fast from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  You should only consume Liquids, fruit and/or vegetables during fasting time. (This includes no sweets or caffeine during the entire fast) Remember fasting is to crucify your flesh.  You can research the Daniels Fast.  Even after 6, limit what you eat and what you watch on TV.  Your spirit will be sensitive but so will your flesh.

⮚      Limit your TV and Social Media time.

⮚      Purchase a fasting journal.  They have some cool ones at Family Dollar!  Keep this journal by your bed because God will speak to you during this fast.  Write it alllll down. 

⮚      Read your bible daily.  I will give you suggested scriptures to read.  Set your schedule of prayer, for example, you can set your alarm clock for 6:00am 12:00pm and 6:00pm.  You MUST be intentional.

⮚      Make sure you pray, if you do not pray during your fast, you are merely on a diet.

⮚      Worship – Read your Scripture – Pray DAILY!!!  Worship is vital.  One of my favorite worship leaders in this season is Psalmist Reign… (You are Welcome; The Great Shephard; etc.)  You can find her music on YouTube. 

⮚      You will find that God is using your love for your children to catapult you into a new relationship with Him.  At any given moment during your fast, God may have you interceding (praying for) your enemies, the country, your husband, and your mother, just be open to what God shows you. 

⮚      FAITH!!  You must have faith that God hears you and will hear your prayers.

What is the Process? (this is just a format.  God may show you something different.)

Morning:  Worship with the Father + Read your scripture + Pray and Conversate + Listen to what he says+ and write it down = A morning communing with God and interceding.

Afternoon: Repeat the scripture and continue in prayer. 

Before Bed:  Pray……. Use your daily declarations…this will affirm what God has done on that day.

We will end our fast on the CONFERENCE line @ 6pm: 516-259-9729