The Daniel Fast

What is the Daniel Fast?

The Daniel Fast is a Biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting in which men, women and young people all over the world  are engaging.  It is a great model to follow that proves to be extremely effective for spiritual focus, bodily discipline and purification.

Within the term “Daniel Fast”, is room for broad interpretation. In the book of Daniel, we find two different times where Daniel fasted:

In Daniel 1, the prophet ate only vegetables and water. “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink” (Daniel 1:12). From theses scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast:

1. Only fruits and vegetables

2. Only water for a beverage

Then in Daniel 10, although the passage does not give a specific list of foods that Daniel ate, it does state that Daniel ate no rich (or choice) foods as well as no meat or wine for 21 days. “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 10:3). So from this passage, we get a third guideline:

3. No sweeteners and no breads (i.e. cookies, cakes, etc.)

Combining the above, it is apparent that there are also no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals on the Daniel fast.

Daniel’s decision not to eat the king’s food was an outward symbol of an inward commitment he had made to God. Let your choices over the next three weeks reflect the hunger you have for God’s presence in your life.

Important reminder: Be sure to drink as much water as possible throughout the fast. A great goal is to drink a gallon of water a day!

When going on a Daniel fast, or any type of fast, if you have questions outside of what Scripture says, prayerfully seek the Lord and be led by the Spirit for the specifics of your personal fast.

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