Your Daniel Fast can revolutionize your faith, if . . .
. . . you avoid these three mistakes that will dilute your results and lead you off track.
Mistake Number One: focusing too much attention on the food and not on your relationship with God.
Indulging and fancy meals are counter to biblical fasting.
During your Daniel Fast, you will likey make a siginificant change in the foods you eat. And here is a golden piece of advice I strongly encourage you to follow: Keep Your Meals Simple.
I hear from countless women and men who start the Daniel Fast and then quit because preparing the food got too complicated. OR they are disappointed they didn’t experience spiritual breakthroughs because they focused too much on the food.
Sadly, many people are misguided and led to believe that the Daniel Fast is first about changing what you eat. And there is some truth to that, but it’s not the whole truth.
All biblical fasting is restricting food for a spiritual purpose. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, so some foods are eaten while others are restricted. And here is the hard truth: planning what to eat isn’t about finding ways to still cater to the flesh so you won’t miss what you normally eat. Scrumptious, delicious, mouthwatering, yummy and the like are serving the flesh.
If you keep your meals simple, requiring little time to prepare, then you can devote more time to the awesome spiritual lessons, revelations, and insights that your Father wants to share with you. Plus, the Lord will meet you in ways you can’t even imagine as you focus on Him and not your flesh during your fast.
Keep your meals simple. Yes, you will miss certain foods. Yes, your flesh will rebel. But you can’t starve the flesh as long as you indulge it.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13
Mistake Number Two: not planning ahead and starting before you’re ready.
Imagine that you’re going away for a three-week-long spiritual conference led by the most highly respected teacher in the world. When would you start getting ready? When would you start making your plans? When would you study your calendar to allow you the space and freedom to enjoy your time?
Now imagine that instead of planning ahead, you didn’t start getting ready until the day before? How would you feel? Frantic? Stressed? Unprepared?
Set yourself up for success on your Daniel Fast. Invest a little time in planning your start date. Clearing your calendar from as many distractions as possible. And think about preparing simple meals ahead of time.
Get ready for your awesome time and prepare to learn, grow, and draw nearer to God during your Daniel Fast.
Mistake Number Three: not investing adequate time in your spiritual experience during your fast.
You get it . . . we live busy lives these days. The world is overflowing with distracations, shiney options, and so many things to do. Add a spiritual fast into that mix and you have a recipe for poor results.
Take charge. Push the “pause button” on unnecessary tasks and duties. Open your schedule so you can truly benefit from the many blessings of your fast.
Remember, your fast is NOT “life as usual.” In fact, you want your fast to be an unusual time. An “out of this world” time. A life-changing time as you open your heart to the loving Father and allow Him to minister to you and show you more of the life you can have in Him.
Your Next Steps:
- Decide that you will not indulge the fleshing during your Daniel Fast. Instead, begin thinking about simple, nutritious meals that you can prepare.
- Consider your upcoming fast. Start thinking about when you will begin. Examine your heart and what the purpose of our fast will be. Think about how you can lighten your load during your fast so you can receive more from the loving Father.
- Imagine your perfect day of fasting. How do you want to begin your day? How do you want to complete your day? How will you spend time in prayer, study, and quiet?
Your Father is so very eager to spend more time with you. He has more for you than you can ever imagine. Open your heart to Him and set yourself up for success by investing in yourself and your faith.
We always value your thoughts and insights. Please leave your comments below . . . and be blessed on your fast.
Hi susan,
I just want to kown can i take supplement which is not plant base?
Thank you .
Marie.
Marie, if this is part of your health plan, then supplements would be ok. However, if you mean ingredients (such as to a smoothie), then it’s pushing against the guidelines.
Be blessed.
Hello. Well, I attempted the Daniel Fast last year and couldn’t do it due to food being involved, so I’m now trying it again; well, I fell off with, like you said, focusing on food, but I can say I won’t quit, and I’ve been abiding in the Lord so pray for my strength as I get back on and your tips helped a lot. Thank you
Hi Yulonda.
You are in great shape now that you know better. Keep your meals simple. You will have cravings. That’s part of fasting. But you can overcome them as you seek God and not the ways of the flesh.
Be blessed on your fast.
Good evening Susan
This will be my 3rd years doing the Daniel fast and last year I bought your book, and it enhances my spiritual growth, but unfortunately for me, I haven’t gotten the spiritual breakthrough yet and but the devil is a liar. I will get my breakthrough this time and I will continue to seek the Lord. Thanks for all the email and advice.
Praise God for your faithfulness.
Keep believing. Remember, Jesus teaches us to ASK and then BELIEVE we receive. That’s the key to our faith. We believe because we trust the Lord to do what He says He will do. And then that which we have asked for manifests in our lives at just the right time. Keep trusting God. The enemy is a defeated and under your feet!
Be blessed and I’m so happy you’re on the fast with us.
Are vitamin supplements allowed?
Hi Dio,
Yes, supplements are allowed. However, it’s best to use plant-based supplements that are free of chemicals and sweeteners.
Hello, this will be my third year taking part in this wonderful experience with our Lord in extended prayer and fasting. However, were I have struggled is to maintain my intense workout regime; I workout between 3-4 times a week for no more than one hour- my workouts usually consist of HIIT Training, Basketball and 1-2 mile jogs through the park. What would you suggest I could do to maintain my workout regime while on the Daniel Fast?
Hey Pablo,
Thanks for checking in. And I hope the best for you on your fast.
Have you seen Game Changers? Here’s the Trailer for it. You can watch the movie on Netflix. It’s eyeopening as we see super successful athletes eating only plant-based meals. I hope this will help answer your questions.
Be blessed on your fast.
Susan,
You are truly an inspiration and last year was my first year on the Daniel fast and I found you on the internet to guide me. It was a fruitful experience in that my desire to draw closer to God was fulfilled. As a side consequence, I did lose 6 lbs, kept in off, stayed close to the fasting principles and lost another 10lbs. It was not the weight loss, but the redirection of focus on our Lord and Saviour. I am anticipating another successful fast this year in the hopes of gaining more clarity and and goodness from God.
Dearest Yolanda,
Thank you so much for your message. I am so very happy for you and the success you experienced on the Daniel Fast. Our God is so good and His greatest desire is for us to be in a deep and loving relationship with Him. He loves you more than you can ever measure.
Be blessed on your fast.
I was so incredibly encouraged to do this, the chapter that taught me about the temple of God, residence of the Holy Spirit., truly revolutionized my life. I have been praying and asking God for help, telling the Lord how tired I was of being so out of shape and taking so many medications. This chapter taught me I was addicted to food, however my Heavenly Father delivered me from many ugly addictions and when The Holy Spirit revealed to me of my food addiction I realized I just needed to cry out to Him. I bought your book about a year ago, but it sat in my book stand, The Lord directed me back to it and I began reading. I was already contemplating surgery but didn’t want to go that route. I’m Praising my Father for His direction and thanking Him for the victory He has promised me. I Praise our Lord Jesus Christ for for drawing me to Him daily and can’t wait for more intimacy with Him. I’m glad you have given me the warnings of failure and will definitely prepare. I’m starting the 1st of 2020 not as a resolution but rather an incredible journey with my Heavenly Father, my Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit my companion. Thank you for sharing with us the incredible gifts that God has blessed you with, much love your way, Merry Christmas to you n yours ?
Blessings to you, dear Irene. Thank you for your post. Our God is so good. The more He fills us, the less we need other things. You have it and you also “get it” that there is always more of Him to discover, enjoy, and live in. Be blessed and know for sure that God treasures YOU!
I agree that the information shared here is key to your personal success. I have experienced some of these things in the past and did not get the full experience with God that I desired. I am preparing now to diligently seek Him during this 21-day period!
Praise God. He is so very good. In our busy world, choosing Him over and over again above all the “noise” is a key to a life of peace, rest, and joy. Thanks for posting, La-Tica. <3
Thank you! All three points sounds exactly like what I was facing when I began the Daniel Fast. I will start the fast again after the New Year. Thank you for sharing
God is so very good and loves you more than you can ever measure. It seems He’s calling you to experience this awesome fast in the New Year. Blessings awaiting. We are so honored to be in a relationship with our awesome God. Thanks for your post. Be blessed, dear one.
Hi,i really like to do this fast but im allergic to beans and i need the protein to function as a busy mother..do you have suggestions??
Hi Lora,
Leafy green vegetables and whole grains are packed with protein. Also, nuts and seeds. Use them in your recipes and you’ll have plenty of protein.
Be blessed on your fast and praise God for sweet lives He has placed in your care.
I would like to know if I eat these veggies during the day or i eat i eat them when i break fast maybe 6 to 6 fasting
I Am so determined to start 1st January 2020
Hi Vicky,
The Daniel Fast is a 24-hour partial fast. So you eat foods grown from seed and drink only water at any time. There are no hours when you don’t drink or eat at all. I hope this helps.
Be blessed on your fast.
Thanks for being faithful. Keep up the good work. God bless
Thank you, Gary. God is so good and I am truly blessed by this call He gave me back in 2007. Be blessed as you close this year and open the New Year.