Sucessful Fasting
1. Set Your Objective Define your reason for fasting: Spiritual renewal Guidance Healing Breakthrough or specific need Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Focus your prayers and approach fasting with humility, seeking God’s presence (2 Chronicles 7:14).
2. Make Your Commitment Decide in advance: Duration (start small if new) Type of fast (water-only, juice, etc.) Activity restrictions Time for prayer and Scripture Solid commitments help you stay on track during challenges.
3. Prepare Spiritually Begin with repentance: Confess sins and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9) Forgive others and make amends (Mark 11:25) Fully surrender to Christ (Romans 12:1-2) Meditate on God’s character (Psalm 103) Be alert to spiritual opposition (Galatians 5:16-17) Start with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
4. Prepare Physically Consult a doctor if you have medical conditions. Eat light meals beforehand—fruits, veggies, no sugar or fats. Don’t rush into a fast. Prepare your body gradually. During the Fast: Avoid unnecessary meds (consult your doctor) Limit activity; rest as needed Expect temporary discomfort (hunger, headaches, fatigue) Stay hydrated—drink water or approved juices
5. Follow a Daily Schedule
Morning: Praise and worship Bible reading and meditation Invite the Holy Spirit’s guidance
Noon: Intercession and Scripture Prayer walk if possible
Evening: Quiet reflection and prayer Avoid distractions (e.g., TV, social media) If juice fasting: 5–8 a.m.: Fruit juice (diluted) 10:30–12 p.m.: Vegetable juice 2:30–4 p.m.: Herbal tea (no caffeine) 6–8:30 p.m.: Broth (no salt)
6. End Your Fast Gradually Break your fast slowly to avoid physical issues: Start with juices and fruits (like watermelon) Then add: Day 1: Raw salad Day 2: Baked potato (no butter/seasoning) Day 3: Steamed vegetables Resume regular diet slowly with small meals
7. Expect Results When you fast with sincerity: You'll sense God's presence more deeply (John 14:21) Gain spiritual clarity and confidence Experience renewed physical and mental energy See answers to prayer Note: Fasting is a discipline. One fast isn’t a cure-all—continue growing in this practice. If you struggle, don’t give up. Try again and stay faithful. “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face...” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
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The Daniel Fast
On the Daniel Fast, you eat plant-based meals that are nutritious and delicious, while setting aside other foods as an act of worship and sacrifice to the Lord. The following list explains the categories of foods to eat and foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast. However, keep in mind that not every item may be listed here.
FOODS TO EAT
Whole grains Amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice. Beans and legumes Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas. Nuts and seeds Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts (actually legumes but people think of them as nuts), pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds. Vegetables All vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). Fruit All fruit is allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). However, any dried fruit shouldn't contain added sugar (check ingredients to be sure). Oils Oils (such as coconut, olive, and sesame, for example) are allowed but should be used minimally. For example, you can sauté foods in olive oil but avoid deep-frying them. Other Unleavened bread (whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives. All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper. Beverages Water should be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. Distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water are allowed as well. However, you may have 100% fruit juice on occasion (just don't overdo it).
FOODS TO AVOID
Animal products Meat (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey), dairy, (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt), fish/seafood, eggs. Added sugar Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar. Yeast Yeast (and, therefore, leavened bread) isn't part of the Daniel Fast. (For an explanation on why it's excluded, see #1 under "Food" on my FAQs page.) Refined grains White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm. Processed food Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives. Deep-fried food Examples are corn chips, French fries, and potato chips. (Baked chips are acceptable if they don't contain restricted ingredients. Check the label for "baked" to be sure.) Solid fats Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening. Chocolate Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao. Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks.
2. Make Your Commitment Decide in advance: Duration (start small if new) Type of fast (water-only, juice, etc.) Activity restrictions Time for prayer and Scripture Solid commitments help you stay on track during challenges.
3. Prepare Spiritually Begin with repentance: Confess sins and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9) Forgive others and make amends (Mark 11:25) Fully surrender to Christ (Romans 12:1-2) Meditate on God’s character (Psalm 103) Be alert to spiritual opposition (Galatians 5:16-17) Start with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
4. Prepare Physically Consult a doctor if you have medical conditions. Eat light meals beforehand—fruits, veggies, no sugar or fats. Don’t rush into a fast. Prepare your body gradually. During the Fast: Avoid unnecessary meds (consult your doctor) Limit activity; rest as needed Expect temporary discomfort (hunger, headaches, fatigue) Stay hydrated—drink water or approved juices
5. Follow a Daily Schedule
Morning: Praise and worship Bible reading and meditation Invite the Holy Spirit’s guidance
Noon: Intercession and Scripture Prayer walk if possible
Evening: Quiet reflection and prayer Avoid distractions (e.g., TV, social media) If juice fasting: 5–8 a.m.: Fruit juice (diluted) 10:30–12 p.m.: Vegetable juice 2:30–4 p.m.: Herbal tea (no caffeine) 6–8:30 p.m.: Broth (no salt)
6. End Your Fast Gradually Break your fast slowly to avoid physical issues: Start with juices and fruits (like watermelon) Then add: Day 1: Raw salad Day 2: Baked potato (no butter/seasoning) Day 3: Steamed vegetables Resume regular diet slowly with small meals
7. Expect Results When you fast with sincerity: You'll sense God's presence more deeply (John 14:21) Gain spiritual clarity and confidence Experience renewed physical and mental energy See answers to prayer Note: Fasting is a discipline. One fast isn’t a cure-all—continue growing in this practice. If you struggle, don’t give up. Try again and stay faithful. “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face...” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
_______________
The Daniel Fast
On the Daniel Fast, you eat plant-based meals that are nutritious and delicious, while setting aside other foods as an act of worship and sacrifice to the Lord. The following list explains the categories of foods to eat and foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast. However, keep in mind that not every item may be listed here.
FOODS TO EAT
Whole grains Amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice. Beans and legumes Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas. Nuts and seeds Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts (actually legumes but people think of them as nuts), pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds. Vegetables All vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). Fruit All fruit is allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). However, any dried fruit shouldn't contain added sugar (check ingredients to be sure). Oils Oils (such as coconut, olive, and sesame, for example) are allowed but should be used minimally. For example, you can sauté foods in olive oil but avoid deep-frying them. Other Unleavened bread (whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives. All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper. Beverages Water should be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. Distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water are allowed as well. However, you may have 100% fruit juice on occasion (just don't overdo it).
FOODS TO AVOID
Animal products Meat (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey), dairy, (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt), fish/seafood, eggs. Added sugar Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar. Yeast Yeast (and, therefore, leavened bread) isn't part of the Daniel Fast. (For an explanation on why it's excluded, see #1 under "Food" on my FAQs page.) Refined grains White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm. Processed food Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives. Deep-fried food Examples are corn chips, French fries, and potato chips. (Baked chips are acceptable if they don't contain restricted ingredients. Check the label for "baked" to be sure.) Solid fats Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening. Chocolate Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao. Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks.