1. FAST AS A SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT 

The 21 Day Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment between you and the Lord.

Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8).

2. REFLECT INNER DESIRE BY OUTER DISCIPLINE

Most Christians have a genuine desire to draw closer to the Lord. However, many have difficulty disciplining themselves to follow through with a complete 21 day fast.

• Your spiritual commitment is going to be reflected by your diligence in spending time with the Lord during the 21 day fast.

• Your time commitment is going to be reflected by determining to fast for 21 days and maintaining the fast for a full 21 days.

• Your testimony of commitment will be reflected by maintaining the proper food choices (as outlined) during the full 21 day fast.

• Your statement of faith to God is reflected by starting, maintaining, and completing the 21 day fast!

3. PRAY TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF COMPROMISE IN YOUR LIFE

Fasting will help make you more aware of sin in your life so that you may repent and turn from your sin.

4. GIVE GOD THE GLORY

Give the Lord Glory for the miracles, spiritual breakthroughs, blessings, and supernatural answers that you may receive from the fast!

Seeking God

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8 (ESV)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8 (NLT)

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God…draw near to listen… Ecclesiastes 5:1 (ESV)

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

Asking God

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 13:14 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 (NIV)

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 16:23

Approaching God

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV)

Praying Discreetly Before God

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)

The Model Prayer

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

When You Fast

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3

Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Joel 2:12

And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Confessing before God

If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18 (NLT)

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives…If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.1 Peter 3:7 (NLT)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

“People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)

Confess your sins… The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. James 5:16 (NLT)

Thanking God

Then Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the LORD! Oh, how the LORD has blessed me! 1 Samuel 2:1(NLT)

Thank GOD! He deserves your thanks. Psalm 136:1 (The Message)

Quiet before God

Be silent, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

Quiet down before GOD, be prayerful before him. Psalm 37:7 (The Message)

Available to God

I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

Pleading with God

Let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Psalm 95:6 (NLT)

Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2 (NLT)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I wore rough sackcloth and sprinkled myself with ashes. Daniel 9:3 (NLT)

Open Communication with God

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22 (AMP)

Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful.

3.  YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

a. Pray for yourself and your family (mate, children, other family members)

b. Pray for Fellowship Church (pastor, pastor’s family, faithfulness of people, salvations)

c. Pray for our nation (city, state and national leaders, spiritual leaders, salvations)

4.  GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

a. Be in the will of God (prayer life, church, work habits, obedience in giving)

b. Believe it is God’s will to prosper you

c. Be specific and tenacious

5. AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS

a. Ask God to forgive you.

b. Forgive and release others. Set your will to forgive those who sin against you.

6. AND DO NOT LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL

a. Put on the whole armor of God (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ - Ephesians 6:10-18)

1. Helmet of SALVATION

2. Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

3. Lions Gird about with TRUTH

4. Feet shod with the preparation of Gospel of PEACE

5. Shield of FAITH

6. Sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD

b. Pray a hedge of protection around you and your family. (Psalm 91:2)

1. Because you have mad the Lord your habitation

2. Because you have set your love upon Him

3. Because you have known His name

7.  YOUR’S IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN.

a. Make faith declarations, be bold in faith - God hears and answers prayer.

b. Return to praise

EXPECT THE PRESENCE OF GOD

EXPECT TO HEAR HIS VOICE FOR YOUR NEEDS AND DIRECTION

EXPECT TO HAVE YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED

ALL ACCORDING TO HIS WILL...NOT YOUR OWN. 

Foods You May Eat:

All fruits 

These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon, etc.

All vegetables

These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, etc.

Limited whole grains

These include brown rice, oats, and barley.

All nuts and seeds

These include but are not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame seeds, almonds, etc. Also nut butters including peanut butter, almond butter, etc.

All legumes

These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans, etc.

All quality oils

These include but are not limited to olive oil, canola oil, grape seed oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil, etc.

Only water: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters for drinking only.

Sweetener: Stevia

Other: vinegar, seasonings, sea salt, herbs, and spices.

Foods to Avoid:

All meat and animal products 

These include but are not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, etc.

All dairy products 

These include but are not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, etc.

All sweeteners 

These include but are not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, cane juice and absolutely NO artificial sweeteners and corn syrup.

All starches 

These include breads, white rice, white potato, pasta, and other baked goods.

All refined and processed foods

These include but are not limited to artificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners, food additives, chemicals, foods that contain artificial preservatives, margarine, shortening, etc.

All fried foods 

These include but are not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips, any other deep fried foods.

All solid fats 

These include but are not limited to shortening, margarine, lard, foods with partially hydrogenated oils, etc.

Beverages

Anything other than water. (Coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol)

Remember, if you follow this program (and eat all the right foods) but don’t take the time to pray,

it’s not fasting - it’s just dieting!

Daniel Fast guidelines (printable version)