YogaFaith Corporate

January 10th – 31st

What is a Daniel Fast

A fast is abstaining from food for a period of time. A Daniel fast is modeled after Daniel 1 in the bible, in which Daniel only ate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and water for a designated period of time.

Why Should I Fast

According to the Bible, there are three duties of every Christian: give, pray, and fast. Biblical fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength—strength which you can only receive from God. The private discipline of fasting has many benefits including but not limited to: Giving your digestive systems a chance to rest, detoxification, mental clarity, direction, physical / emotional healing and an overall closer relationship to God.

Fasting at the first of the year is in essence a first fruit offering to God much like tithing. In John 6:35 Jesus said, I am the bread of life and whoever comes to me will never go hungry. In John 4:32 he reintegrates this message to his disciples, when He says to them I have food you know nothing about.

When you give God your first through fasting and prayer at the  beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year.

Specific Reasons  to Fast

Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
Do you desire a deeper, more intimate, and powerful relationship with the Lord?
Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
Do you desire to know God’s will for your life?

Biblical Fasting Focus

1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

We want to encourage you to target your prayers during the fast. Two specific areas we will be focusing on together are leadership and finances. The Bible instructs us to continually pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). When we lift up our leaders, here in the United States and around the world, we can expect God’s peace in our lives and in our nation.

Another great promise, from the book of Isaiah, proclaims that the chosen fast will “undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free.” We are living in challenging economic and geopolitical times. Many people are experiencing financial burdens. As we come together to fast and pray, we believe that burdens will be lifted and that blessings will be released into your life.

We encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your biblical fasting come from Him. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. We believe that, as we pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of the year, He will bless our ENTIRE year (Matthew 6:33).

For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. Romans 11:16. All firsts belong to God. When you dedicate your first fruits to Him, He will bless the remainder abundantly.

Proverbs 3:9–10 | Leviticus 23:9-10 | Matthew 6:33

What Can I Expect From a Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast is based on the prophet Daniel’s fasting experiences as recorded in the Bible. The fast is a biblically based partial fast. According to Daniel 1, the results were: (v. 17) learning, skill, wisdom, spiritual understanding, favor, and a better appearance! (v. 19) In Daniel 10, the fast resulted in answered prayer and spiritual insight. (v. 11-12).

During your fast you will avoid certain foods and consume others (see the food guides below). When consuming on the fast, you are only eating for fuel or energy, you are not consuming to achieve fullness, God will be your food and He will sustain you and fill you up!

Is fasting easy? Not always, but it will be worth it! You will dethrone “king stomach” which is always guiding you and many times your whole day revolves around what you will eat. During this period of fasting allow God to guide you, as you put Him first, He will sustain you. You will look and feel amazing too!

Daniel Fast Guidelines

Expect the first few days to be challenging, especially if your body / mind is addicted to caffeine.
Headaches, bad breath are natural, especially the first three days as your systems go through detoxification.
The Daniel fast is essentially a vegan cuisine.
Only fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes & whole grains.
Only water or natural fruit juice for a beverage.
No sweeteners, breads, meat, eggs or dairy products.

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How to do the Daniel Fast

Important Steps in Preparing for  Your 21 Day Daniel Fast

Be specific and intentional.

Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately. The king’s food was against dietary laws. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine. The king’s food had been offered up to idols/demons.

Fast as a spiritual commitment.

Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. “Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).

Reflect inner desire by outer discipline.

Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can’t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for their health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health can be linked to any of the following factors:1) Your food choices 2) The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast 3) Your time commitment. If you are determined to fast for a certain time, honor that commitment. 4) If you decide to fast for 10 days, don’t stop on day 9.

Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body.

Your faith is foundational to a successful fast.

Pray to perceive sin’s role in poor health.

Notice James 5:13-16 – Sin could be the result of sickness.

Lack of health/healing could be the result of spiritual rebellion.
Lack of health/healing could be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography.
Repentance is linked to health according to James.
Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health.
Sick people must desire to be well

Fast as a statement to others.

Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king’s food.

Learn the effects of the food you eat.

Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again.

Yield all results to God.

Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants” (Dan. 1:13).

Daniel Fast Acceptable Foods

All vegetables: fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
Asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, corn, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, veggie burgers, etc.
All fruits: fresh, frozen, juiced, or canned
– Apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, grapes, lemons,   limes, peaches, pineapples, strawberries, watermelon, etc.
All whole grains:
– Whole wheat, brown rice, millet, barley, oats, quinoa,   grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, popcorn, etc.
All legumes: canned or dried
– Dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All nuts & seeds:
– Sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame, nut butters (including peanut butter).
All quality oils:
– Coconut, olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages:
– Natural fruit juices, spring water, distilled water, and other pure waters.
Others:
– Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, spices.

Daniel Fast Foods to Avoid

All animal products: beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, etc.
All dairy products: milk, cheese, cream, butter, eggs, etc.
All sweeteners: sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice, etc.
All leavened bread: Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods
All refined and processed food products: artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods: potato chips, french fries, corn  chips, etc.
All solid fats: Shortening, margarine, lard, foods high in fat.
Misc Beverages: Including but not limited to: coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.Only water and natural fruit juices (no added sugar) are accepted on the Daniel Fast.Try hot water with a lemon to replace your morning coffee.