Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

A lot of people take fasting very literally--it must be water only or it isn't even worth the time. (And isn't a "real" fast.) I'm not assuming that is or isn't your POV; I'm tossing that out there because that's usually the direction this topic goes. It's one way to interpret fasting, but I don't think it needs to be quite that rigid. In my opinion, a primary purpose of fasting is to bring the flesh under control, so depriving our flesh of both wants and needs is quite effective in that department.

IMO, the "Daniel Fast" isn't effective because it's a biblical example of an eating lifestyle; it's effective because it's so different and stringent compared to the Western diet. E.g., it's an easy method to deprive our bodies of what they're used to.

There have been a few interesting discussions about fasting in general on the forum; you can probably find them if you search. I would be interested to know what others think of the Daniel fast. On a more practical level, it's also a very healthy way to eat, so some people may do it simply for the health benefits.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

We do a 21-day Daniel Fast. In the Bible, Daniel didn't let his men eat meat sacrificed to idols and instead requested that the cook serve him and his men only vegetables and water. There's a lot of debate over the rules of the DF. We don't really know what Daniel Ate - dad not meat, but what about dairy? What about grains? Did the cook put a little meat grease or sugar in the veggies? What about yeast? It's all speculation.

But I think anything you decide to set aside for God is valuable, and that we shouldn't quibble over the small disputable matters. I never give someone a hard time if they DF differently than me.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

While engaging our family doctor in "small talk" during a visit at his office with my wife, without telling him why I was asking, I simply inquired of him: "How long can someone go without water or food before they begin to do harm to their body organs?" He replied that, depending on one's body weight and the excess fat it has stored up, a person could perhaps go without food intake for several months, but damage to the body as a result of no water intake will usually begin after 72 hours.

With this understanding I have always fasted by refraining from both water and food for 72 continuous hours. I "break" the fast slowly over the ensuing 24 hours and am back to normal thereafter. I have, on occasions when the matter warrants it, and it seems the answers I am seeking are "slow in coming," "broken" a fast, and after 3-4 days enter into another. I will engage in repeated fasting after this manner until God acknowledges my willingness to forsake my fleshly desires to obtain that which I seek from Him. It has always worked...every time!

During the first 12-16 hours of this type of fast I usually develop a mild headache which disappears rather rapidly. And after the first 24 hours even the desire for water or food seems to disappear as well, even to the point that by the end of 72 hours I could practically "care less" should I ever eat or drink again (weird, but true, at least for me).

My closest friend fasts for upwards to three weeks, however, he does drink water only during such periods. He tells me that this method has always worked effectively for him. I guess each person must find that method of fasting which they are able to perform, and which brings the desired results. After all, is not the purpose for a fast that of "showing" God that the desires of the soul exceed that of the flesh, and is being undertaken with the understanding that God will not allow the duration of one's fasting to exceed their ability to participate to a point to where it will do them bodily harm?

As for me fasting is a matter of displaying my faith in God in a demonstrative physical manner, which in essence, is placing Him first and myself last.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Oh, no--no need to delete! I wasn't suggesting that you search instead of posting a new thread. A fresh conversation is fine! :)

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

We're on Day 15 of a 21 Day Daniel Fast. It's been a blessing!

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Deacon... I understand the principle of fasting- anytime we sacrifice, God will bless us. My question is this- why label it a 'Daniel's Fast', and why do the churches do it every January? Why not do it in May? To be honest, it seems to have become a 'Fad' thing among the Apostolic churches. Kinda reminds me of the "Prayer of Jabez" whoop la several years ago...when I was growing up in the church, our pastor would put the church on 3 day fasts periodically. No liquid, and no food. When we were about to enter into revival, he would put us on seven day fasts- water only. It wasn't a country wide fad- it was for a harvest of souls, or for revival.I guess maybe I am being too critical...I just don't 'get it'...

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Churches have started doing this as a "chic" thing, just like the prayer of jabez. It became popular when a book was written to use it as a diet tool, which it was NEVER intended for!!! The concept of a Daniel fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.’

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.”

The background of the Daniel fast is that Daniel and his three friends had been deported to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquered Judah (2 Kings 24:13-14). Daniel and his three friends were put into the Babylonian court servant “training program.” Part of the program was learning Babylonian customs, beliefs, laws, and practices. The eating habits of the Babylonians were not in complete agreement with the Mosaic Law. As a result, Daniel asked if he and his three friends could be excused from eating the meat (which was likely sacrificed to Babylonian false gods and idols).

It was a show of religious freedom and that they needed the right to observe Mosaic law in a land full of idolatry and excess!!!!!


This is a response I got to my same question on another site...??? *sigh*

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

I don't know if it's a new thing; I remember reading a book that my mother had by Joy Haney recommending the Daniel Fast as a diet as well as a type of fast. That book is 15 years old...and my Dad followed the Daniel Fast for some of his fasts years before that.

I don't impose a lot of spirituality on the Daniel Fast; it's sort of like Ezekiel Bread, though; it gets a lot of play because it's an eating method found in scripture. Ergo, some people are going to put a lot of stock in its value for that reason alone. I think the assumption is that if there's a food list in scripture, that it might be the God-endorsed, healthier way to eat.

Daniel wasn't actually fasting; he was following his regular dietary restrictions. For HIM, it wasn't a fast; for Western culture, it may qualify as a fast, because we are more accustomed to the "Babylonian" diet. It's an extreme change for most people to eat only "pulse" (vegetables) and water.

Our church fasts in March; I'm not sure why the emphasis on January, except that some people like to use the New Year to emphasize fresh starts and new habits. Our church staff fasts together once a week.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Memebers of my family (myself included) have been doing the DF for more than 10 years.

We have traditionally done this in January as a beginning of the year to focus ourselves for the coming year.

I view it strictly as a desipline and any such thing will bring its own benfits. And then there is the spiritual act of sacrifice that I believe God honors.

I too worry about things like this becoming "fads" or mindless repetition. As more people have started doing this it has more and more a feeling of lent which I view as so tradition bound that the spiritual benifit is lost.

I will say that my understanding of the DF is that its biggest benifit is in the area of health. I know I have lost weight. Every one I know doing this right now has as well.

I also feel better, am less exhausted etc.


Disclaimer: As I believe that God santified coffee, it is not meant for man to be without. therefore it is not part of my fast. LOL.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

One of the really great blessings to me has been that we find things we can incorporate into our diet that are very healthy for us and it has helped us train ourselves to live with less fat and empty calories.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

:shocked:

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Sis, the Daniel's fast is NOT based on the fast that you have referenced here. Most, who do a Daniel's fast, do so based on his description of a 21 day fast that he did found in Danial chapter 10:

Dan 10:1-3 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. (2) In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. (3) I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

It was Daniel's response while waiting for an answer from God. The angel of the Lord appeared to him at the close of the fast and said:

Dan 10:12-13 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. (13) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

We have done this for more than 15 years and each and every year we have had incredible results in the churches we have pastored. We do it at the beginning of the year simply to set a spiritual course for the year, but we have done it or other types whenever we felt the need.

I will post our guidelines which is what I would call a modified Daniels fast, because after the initial 21 days we add chicken or fish to the fast for a total of 30 days.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Isa 58:6-10 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (7) Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (8) Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. (9) Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; (10) And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

Here the Prophet Isaiah provides God's purpose for fasting. (This is not for bragging rights, and it is not to condemn anyone who may not be able to fulfill every aspect of the fast.) In addition he outlines both the spiritual and the natural benefits of partnering with God and the church in such an endeavor. If there ever was a time when we need this in our individual lives, and most certainly as a family of believers, it is today.

For more than 18 years I have led the congregations that God has blessed me to pastor on this fasting journey, and only eternity will tell true stories of how much it has helped those involved. We have seen incredible spiritual renewal, physical strength and healing, emotional healing, powerful deliverance, financial breakthroughs, family/marriage healing and renewal, and the list can go on and on.

During this fast we ask that everyone abstain from listening to music/radio and watching TV programming or reading material that is not conducive to a spiritual and prayerful environment. Fasting opens up the spiritual sensitivity and we must guard that openness to prevent wrong spirits and the deception of the enemy from taking hold in our lives.


If you are under the care of a doctor or are taking medication that must be accompanied by food, consult your physician before fasting to make sure you are physically able to fast. Please note, we will accomplish nothing for God if we create sickness by not properly taking care of our temple (body). If you are unable to fast the full measure, modify the fast to fit your ability. Again this is not about strict compliance, condemnation, guilt, or spiritual superiority/inferiority. This is about unity and pulling together to accomplish great things in the kingdom.

Daniel's fast (found in Daniel 10:2-3) is one in which he ate no meat, no sweets, no wine for 21 straight days. There are many different versions of this fast but for our purposes during this time we abstain from all meat, (can anyone say veggie burgers) all breads, pasta, etc, no sweets/desserts, no caffeine, sodas, shakes, etc.

Again this is not to be a guilt/condemnation exercise nor a bragging contest, this is simply a time to bind together and ask God to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Let his Word be your meat, and his spirit be your drink!

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

It's a diet not a fast. I do believe that if it is a sacrifice for you then God will honor it, but it is not a fast. Every so often I do something that most call a "media fast". No books, talk radio, newspaper, ect and I believe that God honors it and it is good for me but its not really a fast.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Why do y'all fast?

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

I am struggling with denying self, working on it. Food is not included.

An episode of
The First 48 on A&E showed that what was first thought to be a homicide/suicide, turned out to be a family that were on a fast that starved to death. If memory serves they didn't have water, either.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

To crucify my flesh.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

That's not even Biblical.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

You asked a personal question not a biblical question.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

What is the Biblical purpose of fasting? People fast for revival. I don't see that as a Biblical reason to fast. Crucifying the flesh is also not a Biblical reason to fast.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Psalm 69:10
10 When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,
That became my reproach.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

What does that mean?

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Maybe I need to fast from AFF and Facebook.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

DF is not new, and its not only done in January and its not only done in Apostolic churches.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Would the Daniel Fast impute the ability to interpret dreams as he could? It may be worth it if that's the result.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Psalms 35

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Matt 9
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Matt 6
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Mk 9
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Acts 13
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

:hypercoffee :thumbsup

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

DF= temporary eating healthy. wow what a sacrifice of self for God. :blah Short term feel good stupidity.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Actually, it's temporarily eating vegetarian or vegan, which is a step further than simply eating "healthy."

That said, I don't feel terribly motivated to justify myself to people who insult my intelligence. Maybe you could express your POV without thinking anyone who has a different view is stupid. Or at least, if you think it, refrain from saying it.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

:thumbsup Exactly!

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

Lots of people do not eat healthful. It is a major sacrifice for some.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

That would be a matter of opinion and relative and for the most part i am talking about the general mindset of how people are. IMO nothing special about the fast at all really.



It is short term feel good. Most people don't eat healthy at all. Yet eating healthy is now a sacrifice to feel good before God as some great offering before him. I know this is relative but how about eat right in the first place and take control of your health then talk about fasting. How often I can point to this pathetic insanity in the culture. It's disgusting among the churches. Talk about a whole bunch of spiritual quackery people throw out after some fasts making claims of this and that. While yes I believe God does honor what people do in sacrifice for him. The whole of the heart for a 21 day fast to go back to the normal? sry not buying it and I see it every year.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

so a eat healthy "fast" is somehow spiritual blah blah and they are doing it only for 21 days. uh yeah great awakening and God is really going to bless the heart of the still future glutton.

Re: Purpose of 'Daniel's Fast'...WHY?
 

I don't think I qualify as a glutton. With food anyway, other things like I may be.