7

The 2l Day Daniel Fast

A Lifestyle

Fasting was never meant to be the rare practice that it is today among Christians. After Jesuscalled his disciples, He gave them their first public teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. In it Heexplained to thern the kingdom of God - its laws and life. He provided the pattern by whicheach of us is to live as a child of God. This pattem mentions three specific responsibilities:giving, praying arrd fas ting,

In this passage Jesus said, *When you give...", t.When you pray" and"Vl/hen you fast" (See

Matthew 6). He made it obvious that fasting is to be aregilar part of the Christian life. He didnot say "rf you fast" but "when you fast." We are to eive as much focus and priority to fastine as

we do to eivine and praying.

Making prayer and fasting aregdar,habitual part of our lives is central to a life full of the HolySpirit:

"2aAnd those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godlesshuman nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.2sl|we live by the [HolyJ Spirit, let usalso walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:24-25, emphasis added).

Following Jesus' Example

Jesus doesn't expect us, His modern day disciples, to do something He didn't do. Beforelaunching His ministry, Jesus spent time in fasting and prayer. How can we expect to launch intothe coming year without the same? If the Word of God-the One who spoke this world intobeins-found fastine necessary in God's economy. then who are we to tr.y to live bl/ any otherstandard? Who are we to think that we can attempt to live without it?

If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would IIe fast? Heknew there were supernatural things that could only be released that way.

Jesus said in John l3,"You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what Iam.,I've laid down apatternfor you. What I've done, you do...If you understand wltat I'mtelling you, act like it - and live a blessed ffi."

The Blessed Life

Beloved, I want to live a blessed life, don't vou? And blessings are released in the supernaturalrealm when we fast and pray!

o Fasting is not optional, it's a demando FastinB is to minister to the Lordo FastinB is a Spiritual Weapon to come against demonic spiritso FastinB causes Spiritua! breakthroughs

o Financial, Family, Curses, Disease, Addiction, Bondage of Sin Broken, Burdenslifted, etc...

o We come to know God in deeper, fuller, more intimate ways!o Relationships are restored.o Direction and wisdom are imparted.o Spiritual renewal

All Leaders of the Resurrection Center are expected to participate with this fast in thefollowing manner:

Purpose for this God mandated fast for this time is: Spiritual Growth, Deeper Relationshipwith God and Growth in the Church.

Dailv Fast Hours of Fasting: 6 am - 12 noon

THINGS TO KEEP lN MIND WHILE doing any kind of FAST throughout the year:o No Distraction such as Talking/Playing Games on the Phone, lnternet, TV unless it is

Christian Based ONLY! This is your time with God. How would you feel if you weretalking to someone and you kept getting distracted/interrupted every few minutes?Now imagine how God feels when we allow that to happen with our time with HIM!

o No lntercourse with your spouse at all during the entire time of fasting.o Thints you can do during this time:

o Prayo Read the Bible (God's Word = God Himself)o Praise God

o Listen to Christian Musico Sing and Dance to the Lordo Watch Christian Based films that will Edify you onlyo Meditation

There are several types of fasts. The one you choose is between you and God. He will honoryour best sacrifice.

Fasting is NOT a 66Diet Program to Lose Weight!"

What is a fast? It is a voluntarily abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.

Types of fasting can include:

Full Fast - A fast abstaining from solid food but allowing for liquids (fruit or vegetable juiceand/or broth). Some call this a "normal fast." (You establish the number of days.) Drink water,and plenty of it (a good goal is a gallon a day).

Daniel Fast - A limited fast consisting of abstaining from certain foods for a prolonged periodof time or abstaining from all foods for a portion of the day (e.g., abstaining from eating before3:00 P.M.). The Partial Fast is a good stepping stone to a Full Fast for those who have neverfasted before. There are many types of partial fasts. A few are listed below.

. Daniel Fast. This is the most frequently used example of a partial fast. Eat no red meat,no sweets and no bread. Eat fruits and vegetables and drink water.

o If Partial - Only Lean meats like chicken or fish in addition to all fruits andvegetables

. Reminder - Keep low proportions so your body can adjust to the change in diet.

. Other types of partial fasts could include:

. Giving up one food item, such as caffeine or slveets.

. Giving up one meal & replacing that time with prayer. Vigilance is needed toensure that the value of omitting the one meal is not offset by increasing theintake at others!

. Fast for a specific number of days - one day, three days, you decide.

. Fast from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or from sun-up to sundown. When doing thistype of fast, consider your work and sleep schedule. The hours that you sleepshould not be considered part of your fasting period.

. Along with fasting food, you might go on a "TV fast," going without televisionat specific times. You might also fast other forms of technology as well. Whenyou do this, use that time in prayer and the Word.

. If you have a health condition which prohibits you from a Full or Daniel fast,there are other options such as choosing something from your daily routine (i.e.specific foods, television, other technology, etc.) and fast in that manner. Youcould grve up something else that might have control in your life or be preventingyou from experiencing spiritual growth. Replace that time with prayer and studyof God's word.

. When fasting, keep in mind that your body has been submitted to certain foods. Yourenergy levels are going to drop. During this 21 day fast whether it be Full, Daniel, Partialor daily fast - You cannot do usual activities like going to the gym, jogglng, etc...

Scripture References for Fasting:

Blessings of Fasting: Deuteronomy 28:13-14; Deuteronomy 28:2;2 ChroniclesT:14; Isaiah 58:8

Daniel Fast: Daniel 10:2-3

7

Fasting Do's: Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting Don'ts: Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Preparing to Fast: Mark 7l:25; Luke 11:4; Romans l2:l-2

When to Fast: Matthew 9:14-15

Why Fast: Romans 72:l;Matthew 6:33; Mark 9:29;Isaiah 58:6; 1 Samuel 7:3; Luke 4:l-13

Corporate Fasting: I Samuel 7 :5 -6; 2 Chronicle s 20:,3 -4; Esther 4:l 5 -17 ; Ezra 8:21 -23 ;

Nehemiah 9:l-3; Joel2:15-16; Jonah 3:5-10; Acts27:33-37

Additional References: I Samuel 1:6-8, I7-L8;Neherniah 1:4; Daniel 9'.3,20;Joel2:12;Llke2:37, Acts 10:30; Acts 13:2 Rernember, the details are not as important as the spirit with whichyou participate. It is the attitude of a heart diligently seeking Him to which God responds withblessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14:12,I Corinthians 8:8). May God bless you as you fast!

7

The 2l Day Daniel Fast

A Lifestyle

Fasting was never meant to be the rare practice that it is today among Christians. After Jesus

called his disciples, He gave them their first public teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. In it Heexplained to thern the kingdom of God - its laws and life. He provided the pattern by whicheach of us is to live as a child of God. This pattem mentions three specific responsibilities:gring, praying ard fas ting,

In this passage Jesus said, *When you give..."r *When you pray" and"When you fast" (See

Matthew 6). He made it obvious that fasting is to be a regular part of the Christian life. He didnot say "tf you fast" but "when you fast." We are to eive as much focus and priority to fastine as

we do to eivine and praying.

Making prayer and fasting aregtlar, habitual part of our lives is central to a life full of the HolySpirit:

"2aAnd those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have -crucified the flesh (the godlesshuman nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.2sIT*" live by the [HolyJ Spirit, let us

also walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:24-25, emphasis added).

Following Jesus' Example

Jesus doesn't expect us, His modern day disciples, to do something He didn't do. Beforelaunching His ministry, Jesus spent time in fasting and prayer. How can we expect to launch intothe coming year without the same? If the Word of God-the One who spoke this world intobeing-found fasting necessary in God's economy. then who are we to try to live by anv otherstandard? Who are we to think that we can attempt to live without it?

If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? Heknew there were supematural things that could only be released that way.

Jesus said in John l3,"You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what Iam...I've laid down a paltern for you. What I've done, you do...If you understand what I'mtelling you, act like it - and live a blessed ffi."

The Blessed Life

Beloved, I want to live a blessed life, don't vou? And blessings are released in the supernaturalrealm when we fast and pray!

o FastinB is not optional, it's a demando FastinB is to minister to the Lordo FastinB is a Spiritual Weapon to come against demonic spiritso Fasting causes Spiritual breakthroughs

-

o Financial, Family, Curses, Disease, Addiction, Bondage of Sin Broken, Burdenslifted, etc...

o We come to know God in deeper, fuller, more intimate ways!o Relationships are restored.o Direction and wisdom are imparted.o Spiritual renewal

All Leaders of the Resurrection Center are expected to participate with this fast in thefollowing manner:

Purpose for this God mandated fast for this time is: Spiritual Growth, Deeper Relationshipwith God and Growth in the Church:

Dailv Fast Hours of Fasting: 5 am - 12 noon

THINGS TO KEEP lN MIND WHILE doing any kind of FAST throughout the year:o No Distraction such as Talking/Playing Games on the Phone, lnternet, TV unless it is

Christian Based ONLY! This is your time with God. How would you feel if you weretalking to someone and you kept getting distracted/interrupted every few minutes?Now imagine how God feels when we allow that to happen with our time with HIM!

o No lntercourse with your spouse at all during the entire time of fasting.o Things you can do during this time:

o Prayo Read the Bible (God's Word = God Himselffo Praise God

o Listen to Christian Musico Sing and Dance to the Lordo Watch Christian Based films that will Edify you onlyo Meditation

There are several types of fasts. The one you choose is between you and God. He will honoryour best sacrifice.

Fasting is NOT a 66Diet Program to Lose Weight!"

What is a fast? It is a voluntarily abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.

7

Types of fasting can include:

Full Fast - A fast abstaining from solid food but allowing for liquids (fruit or vegetable juiceand/or broth). Some call this a "normal fast." (You establish the number of days.) Drink water,and plenty of it (a good goal is a gallon a day).

Daniel Fast - A limited fast consisting of abstaining from certain foods for a prolonged periodof time or abstaining from all foods for a portion of the day (e.g., abstaining from eating before3:00 P.M.). The Partial Fast is a good stepping stone to a Full Fast for those who have neverfasted before. There are many types of partial fasts. A few are listed below.

. Daniel Fast. This is the most frequently used example of a partial fast. Eat no red meat,no sweets and no bread. Eat fruits and vegetables and drink water.

o If Partial - Only Lean meats like chicken or fish in addition to all fruits andvegetables

. Reminder - Keep low proportions so your body can adjust to the change in diet.

. Other types of partial fasts could include:

. Giving up one food item, such as caffeine or sweets.

. Giving up one meal & replacing that time with prayer. Vigilance is needed toensure that the value of omitting the one meal is not offset by increasing theintake at others!

. Fast for a specific number of days - one day, three days, you decide.

. Fast from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or from sun-up to sundown. When doing thistype of fast, consider your work and sleep schedule. The hours that you sleepshould not be considered part of your fasting period.

. Along with fasting food, you might go on a "TV fast," going without televisionat specific times. You might also fast other forms of technology as well. Whenyou do this, use that time in prayer and the Word.

. If you have a health condition which prohibits you from a Full or Daniel fast,there are other options such as choosing something from your daily routine (i.e.specific foods, television, other technology, etc.) and fast in that manner. Youcould give up something else that might have control in your life or be preventingyou from experiencing spiritual growth. Replace that time with prayer and studyof God's word.

. When fasting, keep in mind that your body has been submitted to certain foods. Yourenergy levels are going to drop. During this 21 day fast whether it be Full, Daniel, Partialor daily fast - You cannot do usual activities like going to the gym, jogglng, etc...

Scripture References for Fasting:

Blessings of Fasting: Deuteronomy2S:13-14; Deuteronomy2S:2;2 ChroniclesT:14; Isaiah 58:8

Daniel Fast: Daniel 10:2-3

Fasting Do's: Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting Don'ts: Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Preparing to Fast: Mark 11:251, Luke 11:4; Romans l2:l-2

When to Fast: Matthew 9:14-15

Why Fast: Romans 12:1; Matthew 6:33; Mark 9:29; Isaiah 58:6; 1 Samuel 7:3; Luke 4:l-13

Corporate Fasting: I Samuel 7 :5 -6; 2 Chronicle s 20l.3 -4; Esther 4:l 5 -17 ; Ezra 8:21 -23;Nehemiah 9: I -3 ; Joel 2 : I 5- 1 6; Jonah 3 :5- I 0; Acts 27 :33-37

Additional References: I Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18;Nehemiah 1:4; Daniel 9:3,20;Joel2:12:,L:uke2:37, Acts l0:30; Acts 13:2 Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit with whichyou participate. It is the attitude of a heart diligently seeking Him to which God responds withblessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah l4:72,I Corinthians 8:8). May God bless you as you fast!