Daniel Fast Continued

Day two and three I ate the same thing as day one: black beans and rice, almonds, tortillas, fruit juice. Except that on day two I added an apple and on day three I had crackers rather than tortillas.

Today I found, with my schedule, I had to eat out. Sharon and I went to Mr. Bill's and for my one meal of the day I had a vegetable plate: turnip greens, green beans, purple hull peas, and creamed potatoes. It was the best tasting food I have ever put in my mouth!

Daniel 1 Fast

The corporate fasts held in many churches at the start of a new year are daniel fasts. They are basically a 21-day vegan diet, based on what Daniel ate in Daniel chapter one: vegetables and water. At the end of ten days, the appearance of Daniel and the three Hebrew children was better than the ones who ate the "king's dainties" (Amplified Bible). This is what Daniel had counted on.

The two menus, in Daniel one (D1) and Daniel ten (D10) are different in several ways:

• D1 is for ten days, D10 is for twenty-one days
• D1 is about what to eat, D10 is about what not to eat.
• D1 is all about the appearance (the health?) of the fast-er, D10 is about mourning and prayer.
• Both anticipate the supernatural intervention of God.
• Neither is called a "fast!"

Does it sound like I am against a daniel fast? I am not. I had never heard of a daniel fast until recently, and am now on day 4 of my first one. I am eating simple foods, no meat and just water and some 100% juices. I am limiting myself to one meal/day. You may fast however you want to! That is between you and God.

Jesus' Command to Fast

Oh, wait a minute! Jesus did not command us to fast, nor is there such a command anywhere in the New Testament. What Jesus did do is give us instructions for when we fast. In the sermon on the mount in Matthew's gospel, Jesus gave us instructions for when we pray, give alms, and fast. I believe our Savior is assuming that we will perform those three disciplines; He expects us to perform them.

A Christian, who is being conformed to the image of Christ, will pray, for Christ prayed; will fast, for Christ fasted; will give, for that is at the very heart of God: "For God loved the world in this way: He GAVE His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

I want to be like Jesus. You?

It Looks Like Daniel

I am starting a daniel fast today.

According to Daniel 10:2, the prophet Daniel spent 21 days without eating any

• rich food
  
• meat
  
• wine
  

Until recently I did not know that churches across the world were holding corporate daniel fasts. These fasts usually are held at the start of a new year (like Daniel did his fast). If you read my last post, I contend that Jesus was fasting during the meeting with the woman at the well, as told in John chapter 4. Jesus told his disciples that he had food you know not of.

I WOULD LIKE TO TRY SOME OF THAT FOOD!
That has led me to explore the different types of fasts in the Bible. If I am going to write about them, I need to experience them.

Please pray for me for the next 21 days! I do not know if I have the discipline to make it through, so I need your prayers.

I will be fasting and praying

• for wisdom.
• for God to show me his will.
• for some in my church family who have some pressing needs.
• for the ability to stay on task with my writing.
• for my son and his family as they start a new church.
• for your needs if you let me know of them!

If you send me a prayer request, please let me know if you want me to include it in my next post, or keep it private.


If you are participating in a daniel fast at this time, please leave a comment on this post or contact me by email. I would be greatly helped by your encouragement.

I will be posting almost daily about what God is showing me