21 Day Daniel Fast

 The concept of a Daniel fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. The 21 days is found in Daniel 10:2-3, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other  young men your age? The king would then have my head because of  you.’  Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief  official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael an Azariah, (better  known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). ‘Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.  Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’  So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.” The background of the Daniel fast is that Daniel and his three friends had been deported to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquered Judah (2 Kings 24:13-14).  Daniel and his three friends were put into the Babylonian court  servant “training program.” Part of the program was learning Babylonian customs, beliefs, laws, and practices. The eating habits of the Babylonians were not in complete agreement with the Mosaic Law. As a result, Daniel asked if he and his  three friends could be excused from eating the meat (which was likely sacrificed to Babylonian false gods and idols).  And in Daniel 10 we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days. Daniel showed committment and faithfulness to a God when everything around Him was totally contrary to his belief. And after the 21 days Daniel was in better health and apperance than those that ate from the kings table. And because of the faith of the three Hebrew boys when thrown into a fiery furnace they were unharmed by the fiery test. The fire yielded the pure Glory of our Father and gave those three Hebrew boys complete Victory over the fiery pit. The promise of this victory is what we are seeking to live in this year of “Year of VICTORY” in the spiritual and natural, and to be properly aligned to receive the success requires a sacred period of consecration and prayer.

Would you like to see complete victory in your family? In your finances? In personal issues and circumstances? God knows how to give His people complete victory over the flesh, the world, and the enemy … over our body, soul, and spirit. But to be successful from God’s standpoint, certain things are essential if we are going to attack the various fortresses of life in His strength and according to His principles.  The Sanctuary will be corporately fasting and praying from sundown January 8, 2017  thru sundown January 29, 2017. Remember when you are fasting, you are not standing alone! Corporate fasting brings unity, and when we are on one accord, our hearts are turned to God we can release the anointing, the favor and the blessing of Abba.

Fasting is our expression of an open mouth that says to God we want to be more like you! It awakens that spirit within us, fasting cleanses and purifies us spiritually and physically. A Biblical Fast always consist of abstinence of food. And fasting should be a personal expression of worship to our Lord from a heart devoted to Him. Please read the information provided to familiarize yourself with the conditions and restrictions and also download the Fasting Manual. Fasting is a tremendous tool and source of power in the life of a believer and it builds your faith in Abba which positions you for VICTORY.  – Pastor Yolanda 

WHY FAST?

It’s an opportunity to re-evaluate your life, identify with those who are poor, losing weight, worshipping God, breaking bad habits, growing closer to God, family and friends, learning self-control, purifying your body and soul, and to repent of sin.

It’s an opportunity to consecrate a time and place for daily quiet time with the Lord, with study tools.

It’s an opportunity to under that fasting does not move the hand of God?  Isaiah 58:6 indicates that fasting is not to move the hand of the Lord, but it is to make the enemy loose what he is holding back that rightfully belongs to us. Jesus died so we could have the blessings.

BASIC STEPS TO FASTING & PRAYER

Step 1: Set Objective

The Sanctuary is fasting for “Complete Victory“. But what are some additional objectives? Spiritual success, guidance, healing resolution for problems, special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Lord to clarify His leading and objective s for this fast. Fasting is God-led and God-initiated. That means that He fuels a desire to fast and pray.

Step 2: Specify the conditions.

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Decide the following up front. How long you will fast? The Sanctuary set 21 days aside to fast (January 8 – January 29). Will you participate in the full 21 Days or 10 days?  What physical or social activities will you restrict? How much time each day will you devote to prayer and meditation on God’s Word? Start the day strong – begin your day with prayer and worship. Determine the timing and duration ahead of time and pray through it.

Step 3: Prepare your heart, mind, and body.

Fasting is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. It is planned. We must prepare. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Un-confessed sin can hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart, mind and body.  Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision. You should prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high fat and sugary foods begin eaating raw fruit and vegetables prior to your fast is helpful. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.

Length of fasts

• Half Day: Acts 10:30
• One Day: Judges 20:26
• Three Days: Acts 9:9, Esther 4:15-16
• Seven Days: 1 Samuel 31:13
• Ten Days: Daniel 10:2
• Fourteen Days: Acts 27: 33
• Twenty One Days: Daniel 10:3
• Forty Days: 1 Kings 19:8, Luke 4:1-2

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL FAST

Depending on the type of fast you choose, it may be important to prepare your body ahead of time before beginning the fast. For example, if you would like to go on a fruits and vegetables or juice fast, start eliminating meat, white grains, and refined sugars from your diet a few days before. Also you may want to start to cut back on dairy products and some of your caffeine intake. The same principle applies to breaking your fast. When your fast is over, add foods back in very gradually. You won’t want to break your fast with a greasy cheeseburger! The goal for this 21-day fast is that you would experience a new intimacy in your relationship with God. As you prepare to begin, we encourage you to prepare your heart spiritually. The foundation for fasting and prayer is repentance.

DANIEL FAST FOOD LIST

click graphic for details