The New Year Fast
Beginning at sundown on Sunday, January 5th*
- There is no hard rule for when to begin the New Year Fast. Most often, the fast begins at sunset on the first Sunday of the New Year. However, if you or your community choose another day, then that is 100 percent ok. Allow the Lord to lead you on when you can be most successful for your fast.
As you plan your New Year Fast, you want to establish a purpose. What’s on your heart? Do you have unmet needs? Do you have concerns for a loved one? Are you in a financial bind or struggling with a health issue?
Establish a Purpose for Your Daniel Fast
God created the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting isn’t for God. Instead it’s a practice that you can use to focus on Him for a specific purpose for a short, more intense time. God’s Word gives His people this instruction:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Let Your Requests Be Made Known to God
As you prepare for your fast, think about one or two needs that will be your focus during your 21 days of study and prayer. Your Father wants to meet your needs. He wants you to bring those needs to Him. And He wants to you believe in Him, so your heart and mind are guarded against worry and stress.
Financial needs – do you want to invite God into the center of your money matters? Do you want to learn to see Him as your Provider? Do you need more income? Do you need a new Job? Do you want to become a better steward of your money? Whatever you need, God has a plan and an answer for you. Step into this part of our faith journey during your Daniel Fast.
Relationship issues – does your heartache because of a broken relationship, an estranged child, a struggling teenager, or a crumbling marriage? Whatever the need, your Lord is your Comforter and your Counselor. Bring your need to Him. Let Him minister to you and lead you as you seek wisdom, advice, and healing.
Health concerns – Jesus is the Healer. Do you or a loved one have health issues that need the touch of the Lord to bring health and renewal to the body? Use your time on the Daniel Fast to learn about healing, how to pray for health, and how to “speak to the mountain” and move the problems out of your life.
Faith development – perhaps you want to learn how to pray better. Or you want to learn how to meditate on God’s Word. Or you want to develop your faith, so you believe and don’t doubt. Your Daniel Fast is your time to get into God’s Word and allow His truth to renew your mind so you can be transformed.
Only Believe
My guess is that you believe “in Jesus.” You believe that’s He’s the Son of God and that He was crucified, died, buried, rose again, and sits on the right hand of the Father. Believing in Jesus is the most critical belief in your life. Because you believe, you have everlasting life.
So now, ask yourself a question: “Do you believe like Jesus?” Or, “Do you believe as Jesus teaches us to believe?” Check this out:
In Luke 8:40-56, we can watch Jesus in action. We see Him in the crowd when a sick woman touches the hem of His garment and is immediately healed. We also see how Jesus reacts when He learns that the daughter of the man He was with had died. He heard the surrounding voices of doubt and fear. He knew the truth, and He also knew that He needed His friend to have faith.
Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”
Jesus’ instructions were, “Only believe.” Sadly, most Christians are told “to believe,” however, we are rarely taught “how to believe.”
That’s the focus of our Daniel Fast course for 2020. A series of online teachings that you can access from your computer, tablet, phone, or other digital devices, will lead you on a path where you will learn how to ask the Lord for your desires and needs. Then how to enter into a place of trust and assurance, so you do “only believe.” And then how to receive from the Lord as He fulfills your requests.
Check out the course using this link: Daniel Fast – Only Believe
Enter into a life-changing experience with your Father. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you as you learn how to increase your faith, deepen your trust in God, and discover how to “only believe.”
Your Next Steps
- Decide that you will not indulge the flesh during your Daniel Fast. Instead, begin thinking about your spiritual life and what you want for your faith.
- 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.
- Start to collect recipes and meal plans for simple, nutritious, and easy meals, so you don’t spend so much time preparing meals, but instead focus on God.
What do you do to keep your meals simple so you can avoid stress, focus on God, and grow in your faith? Please, share your thoughts below.
We always value your thoughts and insights. Please leave your comments below and be blessed on your fast.
I am looking forward with expectancy. Just in preparation for this fast it all seems different than any other. I have been doing the Daniel fast for years. So excited to spend more time with God and see Him move in areas I have dealt with for years with no change that I can see. It is time for me to see that change. Thank you Lord Jesus.
Blessings to you, dear Bobbie.
God is so very good. He hears you. He knows you. And He loves you.
Lean into Him and allow Him to lead and direct you.
By the way, you wrote, “This fast, it all seems different than any other. I have been doing the Daniel fast for years.” Your different attitude is very likely due to your maturing in the Lord. That’s a good thing. You are growing and becoming stronger.
Be blessed
I use Sunday afternoon for food prep. I take my lunch to work, so a chili or soup on Sunday feeds me lunch all week, with fresh fruits and veggies and some compliant crackers or flatbreads. I like oatmeal with fresh fruit, so breakfast is easy. I also found a nutty museli at Aldi’s this year that doesn’t have any sweetener, so that will be a treat this year. Dinner takes more planning, since my husband is not doing the fast with me. I try to make a meal for me and then add chicken, fish or beef for him. I purchased the online cookbooks last year and printed them, so I have a note book filled with your recipes. Huge fan of Susan’s Vegetarian Chili (though I chop a fresh jalapeno instead of the canned chilis). I took it to a potluck during my first fast January 2018 and was elected the vegan cook for all work potlucks! It’s delicious! I also have some vegan recipes I’ve found on Pinterest.
You’ve got this, girl!
Thank you so much for your post. I keep preaching that preparation is key for a successful Daniel Fast. And you are a witness!
Thanks so much for sharing. I have to say, I also really like the vegetarian chili recipe. It’s so easy to make. Plus, it freezes really well.
Be blessed on your fast, Sally. God loves you so very much
Many thanks as always Susan for your knowledge, discipleship, leadership and love for Christ you give each year during our Daniel fast as well as throughout the year. I learn so much about the meaning of Gods word from you and how to apply it in my life. You are a gift from above and I thank the Lord each day for you. God bless you Susan!
This year the purpose of my fast will be focused on broken relationship(s) in my family and healing through Christ..
Dearest Suzanne,
I am filled with love as I see your name. We’ve been on our spiritual journey together for a long time. And for that I am thankful.
The purpose for your fast is lovely. Thank God that He works in our hearts and in the hearts of those we love, even when there has been a break. I had a huge healing for one in my life this last year. Patience. Wisdom. Love. Grace. Forgiveness. All are part of the healing. I know you will be love, because that’s who you are in Christ.
Blessings to you, dear friend.