What is fasting?
Fasting is the voluntary abstention from eating solid or liquid food, with the purpose of subduing our flesh and purifying our physical body, in order to seek the presence of God and have communion with Him.
Types of fasting proposed:
- Daniel Fast
- Total fasting until 12 pm
- Total fasting until 3 pm
- Total fasting until 6 pm
Fasting
from Daniel
Its Origin
The Daniel Fast is based on Bible verses found in Daniel 10:2-3: "In those days I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over." These three weeks refer to the observance of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which take place during the first month of the year (Exodus 12:1-20).
Some may also cite the example in Daniel 1:8. However, in this verse, Daniel refused to eat the king's delicacies because they would have included foods forbidden by Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11); eating them would have defiled his body. Another reason could have been that the king's meat had likely been offered to false Babylonian idols, as was the practice. Daniel believed that eating it would have been acknowledging their idols as deities, contrary to God's commandments.
Its Purpose
Although the Daniel Fast cleanses the body by omitting certain foods for a limited time, its true and deeper intention is spiritual connection. The purpose of Christian fasting is to seek a more intimate relationship with God while freeing the physical body from unnatural and self-gratifying foods and drinks. Its focus should be on God, not on the carnal things of the world. Too often, the focus of fasting is food deprivation. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to turn our eyes away from the things of this world and focus them entirely on God.
During the Daniel Fast, you will want to focus on prayer, Bible study, and reflection. The Daniel Fast is an excellent way to begin preparing to grow in the Lord.
If you have health problems or are undergoing medical treatment, it's advisable to consult your doctor first. You could also pray, consult a mature Christian, or your pastor before fasting. Remember, fasting should be done periodically and for a limited number of days.
Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
1. Break the spirit of delay.
I ate no choice food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. - Daniel 10:3
As we see, Daniel fasted for 21 days because he needed a breakthrough. He understood that the only way to radically change his life was through fasting and prayer.
The spirit of delay is a demonic principality that governs the atmosphere of a region, and its purpose is to delay blessings and close doors. Through fasting and prayer, Daniel received his breakthrough. God sent His angel against that spirit, and it defeated him. If we want to see changes, we must fast and wage spiritual warfare until that demonic spirit releases our blessings, and those of our family, business, and ministry.
2. Move mountains.
Mountains are obstacles we encounter in our daily walk with God, obstacles that try to prevent the Kingdom of God from advancing on earth. Mark 11:22-23 teaches us what Jesus said to His disciples: “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
3. Prepare the environment so that the Holy Spirit can guide us.
Fasting makes us more sensitive to hearing God's voice. It also prepares the atmosphere when we need to make important decisions, such as ordaining and sending spiritual children.
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:2-3
If you need God's guidance in a difficult or important decision you have to make, declare fasting and prayer today, and begin to receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
4. Unleash the power to go to war.
After these things, the Moabites and Ammonites, and some of the Ammonites with them, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat […] and Jehoshaphat set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. – 2 Chronicles 20:1-3
When we experience times of war, of any kind—whether at home, at work, in business, or in ministry—when a defiant mob advances against us, it is no longer time to reason about the situation. It is time to declare fasting and prayer. When we humble ourselves and seek God's face, then the battle ceases to be ours, and becomes His. God intervenes personally.
Until now, many of our blessings have been held back; too many mountains have risen up to stop what is rightfully ours. But the time has come to go against our enemies. Let us learn from Daniel and advance the Kingdom of God, on our knees, through fasting and prayer. Prepare yourself, because starting today, a great breakthrough is coming into your life!
Food
To Include During the Daniel Fast
ALL FRUITS:
These can be fresh, frozen, or dried. Fruits include apples, apricots, bananas, raspberries, various types of melon, cherries, blueberries, grapefruit, grapes, guava, kiwi, lemons, limes, mango, nectarines, figs, tangerines, peaches, pears, pineapples, raisins, plums, strawberries, watermelons, and papayas, etc.
ALL VEGETABLES:
Fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. They include artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, scallions, spinach, squash, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, turnips, taro, yams, pumpkin, watercress, and any other vegetables you prefer.
ALL WHOLE GRAINS:
Includes whole wheat, brown rice, corn, oats, barley, whole wheat pasta. All nuts and seeds, sesame seeds, nut butters, and peanut butter.
ALL LEGUMES:
Canned or dried beans, pinto beans, peas, lentils, kidney beans, black beans, white beans, red beans.
ALL QUALITY OIL:
Olive, avocado, canola, peanut and sesame, coconut.
Drinks:
Spring water, distilled water or other pure waters, aromatic waters, fruit juices. Sweetened with Stevia, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk.
OTHERS:
Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices, almond products.
FOODS TO AVOID DURING FASTING…
- All meat and animal products including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, fish.
- All dairy products including milk, cheese, cream, butter and eggs.
- All leavened bread (contains yeast and honey) and all pastries.
- All refined and processed food products, including artificial flavors, additives, chemicals, wheat flour, and foods containing artificial preservatives.
- All fried foods, including french fries and popcorn made in oil.
- All solid fats including butter, margarine, lard and high-fat foods.
- Beverages including soft drinks, energy drinks and alcohol.
Menu Ideas
Breakfasts
1. Plant-based protein shake, with almond milk or water. (You can add any fruit you like).
2. Red juice with almonds and blueberries.
3. Red juice with almond milk.
4. Fruit salad with oats and honey.
5. Banana juice with oat milk.
6. Cooked banana, mashed with olive oil, tomato stew with onion and grated tofu.
7. Green juice with almonds.
8. Cassava arepas with almond cheese.
9. Green plantain or banana arepas with stew and almond cheese.
10. Arepas made with ground corn, avocado butter, and almond cheese or tofu, or onion and tomato stew.
11. Roasted plantain with vegetable chorizo stew.
Snacks:
1. Nuts.
2. Green apple with salt.
3. Watermelon with lemon.
4. Natural bottled juices.
5. Avocado with salt.
6. Fruits in general.
Lunches:
1. Lentil soup with diced potatoes, brown rice, and banana.
2. Red bean soup with potatoes, green plantains, and brown rice.
3. Brown rice with vegetables and mashed ripe plantain with eggplant.
4. Brown rice with stewed chickpeas and asparagus.
5. Black-eyed pea rice with coconut milk, boiled small yellow potatoes, and cabbage salad. Served with vegan mayonnaise.
6. Quinoa with vegetables (onion, bell peppers, green beans, artichoke, garlic, spices) sautéed in coconut oil and ripe plantain.
7. Roasted bean, lentil, or chickpea fritters with vegetable rice and a salad of beets, carrots, onions, and tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and lemon.
8. Vegetable meatballs, rice, lettuce salad, tomato, onion, avocado, olive oil, lemon and salt.
9. Vegetable chorizo rice with avocado salad and cooked ripe plantain.
10. Sancocho without animal protein, rice and avocado. (It can be made with all the ingredients used to make a sancocho, and can be seasoned with vegetable broth).
Dinner
1. Boiled potatoes with tomato and onion stew.
2. Boiled yucca with onions and mushrooms, olive oil, and spices.
3. Sandwich with quinoa or seed bread, with lettuce, tomato, onion, hummus, guacamole (you can add onions sweetened with honey).
4. Lentil pasta with a sauce made of tomato, basil, garlic, olive oil, and pesto (without Parmesan cheese).
5. Boiled green plantain, mashed with a little olive or coconut oil, with vegetable stew and tofu (optional).
6. Fried plantain patacón (cooked and then grilled). With onions and tomatoes sautéed in olive oil and tofu.
7. Corn tortilla tacos covered with lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and beans, with grated almond cheese.
8. Vegetable broth with cilantro, avocado and brown rice.
