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There are two references to fasting in the biblical book of Daniel from which the "Daniel Fast" is drawn. Daniel, chapter 1, describes how Daniel and his three friends ate only vegetables and drank only water. (Daniel 1) [1] X Research source At the end of a 10-day trial period, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than their peers who ate the rich foods from the royal table. In Daniel, chapter 10, Daniel fasts again, abstaining from "pleasant food," meat, and wine. (Daniel 10) [2] X Research source You, too, can gain a healthier body and clearer mind by following this diet "fast" in moderation.
Steps
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Avoid distractions . This is a sacred time between you and God, [3] X Research source so avoid secular television and radio programs.
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Start the diet by focusing on your faith. Worship God through sacrifice and love Him more than His gifts.Advertisement
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Pray. Your days should be filled with unselfish prayer. During the fast, increase the frequency of your daily prayer time by a factor of three or more.
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Seek the Lord diligently for the answers to your prayers .
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Ask for God's guidance in your life.
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Make your meals somewhat lighter for a few days leading up to your fast. It's an especially good idea to reduce your intake of caffeine.
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In the first Book of Daniel, the Prophet ate only vegetables and fruit, and drank only water for 10 days. A short rundown of acceptable foods include: [4] X Research source
- All fruits and vegetables
- All legumes
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Tofu
- Herbs and spices.
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Conversely, there is also an agreed upon list of foods to avoid. Keep in mind that no artificial or processed foods nor any chemicals are allowed in the Daniel Fast. [5] X Research source
- All meats and animal products
- All dairy products
- All deep fried foods
- All solid fats.
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Carefully read food labels. Foods often contain hidden ingredients. Make sure the foods you buy are compliant with the Daniel Fast.
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Move to stage two. In Daniel, Book 10, the Prophet went on a second, 3-week fast. To quote the Bible, Daniel "ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine." [6] X Research source The second fast is basically the same as the first fast, but the text specifically names three things to avoid: [7] X Research source
- Wine
- All sweeteners (including honey)
- All leavened bread.
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Assess how you feel after the two stages. If you feel more energetic and healthier, it is likely that you will want to keep up healthier eating habits. While reintroducing many of the items you've not had during the fast is inevitable, you may want to do so with greater consciousness for quality and portion size. And some things, like fried food and sugar are best kept to a new minimum.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I read in the Bible when I'm fasting?Alice BCommunity AnswerStarting in Daniel was good for me. Adding Psalms or Proverbs for meditation is also good.
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QuestionCan I have hot chocolate on the Daniel fast?Community AnswerAssess your motive for each choice. The purpose of a fast is to deny your flesh and feed your spirit. Chocolate tends to be an indulgence to make us feel good (comfort, caffeine, warmth, etc.) and can feed an addiction in some cases (sugar, caffeine, endorphins). Thus, no is probably the best answer, bearing in mind the purpose of the fast.
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QuestionWhat is leaven bread?Community AnswerLeaven bread is bread whose ingredients include a rising agent such as yeast. Most bread you buy is leavened bread. Unleavened bread is usually flat and non-puffy. Pita bread, matzo and tortillas are all examples of unleavened bread.
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Tips
- Lots of prayer...we need God's strength and guidance.Thanks
- Keep your diet simple. Avoid highly processed foods in favor of simply prepared or raw foods.Thanks
- If for any reason you eat something you shouldn't have during the fast, it is better to ask for forgiveness and continue, than it is to stop the fast.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- The Daniel Fast is a time to get closer to God and hear his voice. It's easy to get distracted by the desire to eat, but focus on deep prayer and you'll find yourself wanting to continue your fast.
- After your fast, slowly introduce more foods to your body. Try light, easy-to-digest foods like fresh fruit, vegetable juice, broth-based soups, and steamed vegetables.
- Try a little yoga or meditation with your fast to help focus on your goals and be more attuned with your body.
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Warnings
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Thanks
- When you have finished fasting, eat light meals and slowly build back up to your normal diet.Thanks
- The Daniel Fast promotes healthy eating. But if you have specific health concerns, consult with a trusted health care provider before committing to this 10-day (or 3-week) diet.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Bible
- A place and time(s) to pray .
- Good variety of fruits and veggies
References
- ↑ http://niv.scripturetext.com/daniel/1.htm - Daniel 1
- ↑ http://niv.scripturetext.com/daniel/10.htm - Daniel 10
- ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/daniel-fast.htm
- ↑ https://news.llu.edu/patient-care/beginner-s-guide-daniel-fast-diet
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-the-daniel-fast/
- ↑ https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/daniel/10-3.html
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-the-daniel-fast/
- Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer L. Towns, published in 1996 by Regal Books, Ventura, California.
- Honoring God Through The Daniel Fast by Terrance Day, published in 2009,
About This Article
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Reader Success Stories
- "I am getting ready to start the Daniel Fast. I'm 70. I was reading here to see it I can include coffee. This is a very informative article. I wish I had known about this fast earlier in life. I have always wanted a much closer walk with God." ..." more
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"I am getting ready to start the Daniel Fast. I'm 70. I was reading here to see it I can include coffee. This is a very informative article. I wish I had known about this fast earlier in life. I have always wanted a much closer walk with God."
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"This fast will help me, before I read about it, I had prayed that God would give me a fast I could follow. I had tried to follow so many other fasts and they never work. I'm excited that it is a Bible related fast, and with more faith to believe this is really starting to happen."
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"My kids and I started Daniel's fasting from the 9th of January, and we've been breaking only at 18:00 after prayer. The fasting is been liquid (water and a bit of juice), and we wanted clarity on the right way of doing it. Our questions were answered here."
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"I have done the Daniel fast several times, and always received revelations from Jesus in several different areas. Also, my body has benefited from the fast. I had lost my instructions, so I visited this website. Thank you, I learned more about it."
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"Positive thinking, prayer and scripture will help tremendously. Try to have little or no contacts with non believers of fasting or who criticize you for doing it. Remember the purpose of your fast. You can have more than one purpose for fasting."
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