Emmanuel Church International
Annual Season of Consecration
Daniel Fast (21 Days)
January 22, 2024—February 11, 2024
Fasting Schedule
The fast will begin January 22nd, Monday night at 12 midnight, and end at 6:00
P.M. on Sunday February 11 th . You can resume regular healthy eating after 6:00
P.M. on Sunday February 11 th .
Daniel Fast: Breakfast, lunch and dinner; fruits and vegetables, hummus, legumes (well-
known legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, chickpeas, lentils, lupin bean, mesquite,
carob, soybeans, peanuts and tamarind), nuts, sprouts and seeds, soups, and water (no
bread, no meats, no seafood, no poultry, no desserts, and no juices and sodas)
I. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will
hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare yourself for
fasting:
-
Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
-
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance
and accept God's forgiveness ( 1 John 1:9 ). -
Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all
who have hurt you ( Mark 11:25 ; Luke 11:4 ; 17:3,4 ). -
Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
-
Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command
in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15 . -
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master;
refuse to obey your worldly nature ( Romans 12:1,2 ). -
Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power,
wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others ( Psalm 48:9,10 ;
103:1-8 , 11-13 ). -
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart
( Hebrews 11:6 ). -
Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes
intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit ( Galatians
5:16,17 )
II. As you commit to this fast in faith, each day you succeed in this commitment,
you will begin to feel refreshed and invigorated spiritually. You will also
notice a greater sense of spiritual empowerment. We are expecting God to do
great things in your life and the life of our church as a result of your faith
commitment to fasting before the Lord during this consecration season.
III. If you take medications regularly, always consult your physician prior to
fasting. It is recommended that you follow your physician’s instructions
while fasting.
The Daniel Fast
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, based on Daniel 10:2-3 in the Bible, in
which Daniel fasted for three weeks. During the fasting period, only certain
foods are eaten. Prayer, meditation and giving the results of the fast to God
are also important components of this fast.
Purpose
The purpose of the Daniel Fast is to deny the body from eating certain foods
as a way of getting closer to God. Increased spiritual awareness, becoming
stronger in your faith, and building more spiritual stamina are also the
purposes of this fast. It is also noted in Isaiah 58:6 that fasting loosens the
bonds of wickedness. Since this fast focuses on eating only foods in their
natural state, it cleanses the body from many of the impurities introduced by
processed foods.
Food Choices
While on the Daniel Fast, you won't eat any bread, sugar or meat (“Pleasant
Food”—Daniel 10:3). Foods containing preservatives and additives, as well
as alcohol, are forbidden. Fatty foods, such as butter, and caffeinated foods
are also off limits. You will eat primarily fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts,
sprouts and seeds.
Foods to Avoid on the Daniel Fast
-
All meat & animal products – bacon, beef, buffalo, eggs, fish, lamb,
poultry, and pork. -
All dairy products – butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt.
-
All sweeteners – agave nectar (agave: a desert plant),
artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw
sugar, syrups, stevia (plant), and sugar. -
All bread, leavened bread & yeast – baked goods
-
All refined & processed food products – artificial flavorings, chemicals,
food additives, preservatives, white flour, and white rice. -
All deep-fried foods – corn chips, French fries, and potato chips.
-
All solid fats – lard, margarine, and shortening.
-
Beverages – alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, herbal tea,
and tea.