What Is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast based on two accounts of the prophet Daniel fasting. The fast is intended to be a time of drawing closer to God. It involves a 21-day commitment to a partial fast, which means you restrict commonly enjoyed foods as an act of worship and consecration to the Lord. The most important part of the Daniel Fast is that you deny yourself physically so that you may seek the Lord in prayer and grow closer to Him. Daniel's passion for the Lord caused him to hunger and thirst more for spiritual food than for physical food, which should be the desire of anyone choosing to participate in this type of fast.
There are two passages in specific that the Daniel Fast is based on:
The Daniel Fast is so called because it is based on the way the prophet Daniel is recorded to have eaten in Daniel chapter 1 and Daniel 10. When Daniel, his three friends, and other young Israelite men were taken into Nebuchadnezzar’s service, they were to be given food and wine from the king’s table while undergoing a three-year training program. “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8). The official was fearful that Daniel would be unhealthy and that the king would be upset. So Daniel asked him to do a ten-day test in which he and his three companions would eat vegetables (or “pulses”) and drink water. “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:15-16).
There are two passages in specific that the Daniel Fast is based on:
- "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables [pulses] to eat and water to drink." (Daniel 1:12)
- "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 10: 2-3)
The Daniel Fast is so called because it is based on the way the prophet Daniel is recorded to have eaten in Daniel chapter 1 and Daniel 10. When Daniel, his three friends, and other young Israelite men were taken into Nebuchadnezzar’s service, they were to be given food and wine from the king’s table while undergoing a three-year training program. “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8). The official was fearful that Daniel would be unhealthy and that the king would be upset. So Daniel asked him to do a ten-day test in which he and his three companions would eat vegetables (or “pulses”) and drink water. “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:15-16).
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE DANIEL FAST
The Daniel Fast is a special type of fast because you can eat, unlike a liquid fast where only water or juices are consumed. But just because you can have food doesn’t mean the Daniel Fast is easy. Fasting, in any form, is difficult because you’re doing battle physically and spiritually. However, there are steps you can take to strengthen you for the fight. Following are ways you can prepare your heart, mind, and body for your 21-day Daniel Fast journey.
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
- Pray before it begins
Start praying for your Daniel Fast even before it begins. Repent of any unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, or rebellion. Ask God to reveal to you any area of your heart where change is needed. When God reveals it to you (and he will), confess your sin quickly and repent. Take time to get your heart ready for what He wants to do in and through you on the fast.
- Read scriptures on fasting
Take time to study passages in the Bible that have to do with fasting. It will help you gain insight on people who fasted, the ways God responded to their prayers, and what God requires of His people on a fast. Suggested passages are:
Isaiah 58 - Fasting that pleases God
2 Chron. 20:1-4 - Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast
Ezra 8:21-23 - Fasting and prayer for protection
Neh. 1:1-4 - Nehemiah prays and fasts for his people
Esther 4:15-17 - Esther fasting on behalf of the Jews
Matt. 4:1-11 - Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights
- Write down prayer requests
What do you want to see God do during your fast? Take time to identify your primary motivations for fasting. Record your prayer requests in your notebook or on a separate piece of paper. Keep the list visible, and pray over those needs throughout your fast. Make sure you include requests for others and not just your own requests.
- Is the Lord showing you anything?
Record what the Lord shows you through His Word. Use a notebook for prayer requests, praises, and answers to prayer.
- Pray and Meditate
It’s important to pray and wait on the Lord as much as you can during your fast. Ideally, you should praise, worship, sing to the Lord in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The key is to wait on God and meditate on His Word.
SPIRITUAL BENEFITS
- A closer relationship to God
- Heightened sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit
- Increased effectiveness in intercessory prayer
- Guidance in decisions
- Recognition of the things that control you
- A renewed sense of balance
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
Drink lots of water! It should be your primary beverage during the Fast.
- Ease into the fast
In order to help your body adjust to the Daniel Fast, you should start cutting back on restricted foods about a week before the fast begins. Reduce your intake of sugar, dairy, caffeine, meat, and processed foods. Also, it’s advisable to increase your water consumption before your fast begins.
- Plan your meals for the week
One of the first things to think about as you prepare for your Daniel Fast is proper planning. It will save you time in the long run and help prevent the frustration of trying to decide at the last minute what to eat. However, please keep in mind that the Daniel Fast is NOT about the food, it is to have a meaningful encounter with God and to draw nearer to Him. Having a plan will keep you from indulging in foods that don’t fall within the Daniel Fast guidelines.
- Make your grocery list for the week
Putting a list together before you go to the grocery store will make your shopping much more efficient. When shopping for the Daniel Fast, remember to read the labels. If there’s an ingredient you don’t recognize, it’s probably not “real food” and should be avoided.
- Get your kitchen ready
Having the tools you need will make everything much easier when preparing recipes. Make sure you have the proper appliances and utensils before embarking on this three-week adventure.
- Prepare food ahead of time
Plan simple and easy to prepare meals. Look at the first week’s recipes on your meal plan to find ways you can speed up food preparation and make it more efficient.
- Cook and freeze your meals
Set aside a few hours the weekend before the fast begins and make a few meals. Then freeze half of each recipe. That way you have food when you don’t have time to cook or need a quick go-to meal.
Proper preparation is the key to making your fast successful.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
- Ease into the fast
In order to help your body adjust to the Daniel Fast, you should start cutting back on restricted foods about a week before the fast begins. Reduce your intake of sugar, dairy, caffeine, meat, and processed foods. Also, it’s advisable to increase your water consumption before your fast begins.
- Plan your meals for the week
One of the first things to think about as you prepare for your Daniel Fast is proper planning. It will save you time in the long run and help prevent the frustration of trying to decide at the last minute what to eat. However, please keep in mind that the Daniel Fast is NOT about the food, it is to have a meaningful encounter with God and to draw nearer to Him. Having a plan will keep you from indulging in foods that don’t fall within the Daniel Fast guidelines.
- Make your grocery list for the week
Putting a list together before you go to the grocery store will make your shopping much more efficient. When shopping for the Daniel Fast, remember to read the labels. If there’s an ingredient you don’t recognize, it’s probably not “real food” and should be avoided.
- Get your kitchen ready
Having the tools you need will make everything much easier when preparing recipes. Make sure you have the proper appliances and utensils before embarking on this three-week adventure.
- Prepare food ahead of time
Plan simple and easy to prepare meals. Look at the first week’s recipes on your meal plan to find ways you can speed up food preparation and make it more efficient.
- Cook and freeze your meals
Set aside a few hours the weekend before the fast begins and make a few meals. Then freeze half of each recipe. That way you have food when you don’t have time to cook or need a quick go-to meal.
Proper preparation is the key to making your fast successful.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
- Weight Loss
- Detoxification
- Increased energy levels
- Freedom from sugar addiction
- Improved digestion
- Reduced inflammation
THE DANIEL FAST FOOD LIST
Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.
The only acceptable foods explicitly listed in the scripture are water and vegetables. However the term "pulse" is used in the King James Version, which means "bean or seed grown for food." This gives permission to those on Daniel Fast to eat whole grains, fruits, and other plant-based foods — everything else is off limits. Remember, READ THE LABELS!
BEST PRACTICES
Choose fresh produce whenever possible. Frozen is the next best option. Canned foods have a few potential drawbacks. First, nutrients are often lost during the canning process. Second, there is the risk of BPA contamination, which is linked to a wide range of health problems. Finally, canned foods typically have high levels of sodium. To reduce these risks, choose foods packed in BPA-free cans or glass jars. Look for items labelled “reduced sodium” and always read the list of ingredients to be sure there are no chemical additives. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and citric acid are naturally derived preservatives commonly used in canned foods, and these are acceptable during the Fast.
Choose fresh produce whenever possible. Frozen is the next best option. Canned foods have a few potential drawbacks. First, nutrients are often lost during the canning process. Second, there is the risk of BPA contamination, which is linked to a wide range of health problems. Finally, canned foods typically have high levels of sodium. To reduce these risks, choose foods packed in BPA-free cans or glass jars. Look for items labelled “reduced sodium” and always read the list of ingredients to be sure there are no chemical additives. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and citric acid are naturally derived preservatives commonly used in canned foods, and these are acceptable during the Fast.