We believe God is going to do some incredible things in 2023, both for the ministry of our church and for each member who calls it home. This is why we are inviting you to join PNEUMA Church in its annual 21 Day Daniel Fast, January 8th – 29th, as we commit this year to our God.
Your fast should not just include a diet, it is a means of sacrificial living by becoming weak in the flesh, but strong in the spirit. For this reason, your fast should include alone time with God in the form prayer, devotion, and worship. This is the “becoming stronger” aspect of the fast and it is essential.
What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast or Daniel Diet is based on the prophet Daniel’s dietary and spiritual experiences as recorded in the Book of Daniel in the Bible. It’s a partial fast that focuses very heavily on vegetables and other healthy whole foods but leaves out any animal sources of protein.
The Daniel Fast is specifically referenced in the Bible in two sections of the Book of Daniel:
- Daniel 1:12, which states, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables [pulses] to eat and water to drink.”
- Daniel 10: 2–3, which says, “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.”
The term “fasting” refers to food only. While you may give up certain luxuries like watching TV or social media during the 21 day period, please be aware that this is not considered fasting.
What Can I Eat?
Try not to get too hung up on what you should and shouldn’t eat. The most important part of the Daniel Fast is that you deny yourself physically so that you may seek the Lord in prayer and grow closer to Him. Your fast may look a little different than someone else’s, and that’s fine. Some people may need to be stricter than others in their food choices so that their fast is a sacrifice for them. These food guidelines are meant to be just that – a guide. They are given to help you create boundaries for your fast.
Foods You Can Eat
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains like brown rice, oats, quinoa, and whole wheat.
- Nuts & seeds
- Legumes – black beans, black- eyed peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, pinto beans
- Soy products, and tofu.
Foods to Avoid
- Meat & Animal Products Dairy products Sweeteners
- Leavened Bread
- Refined & Processed Food Deep-fried foods
- Beverages – Carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, and tea
Alternative Fasts
The Daniel Fast is a vegan diet in nature and for this reason, it might not be for you. Maybe you have specific dietary restrictions which do not allow you to embrace an entirely vegan diet, or perhaps this is your first fast and you want to make sure you stick with it. Don’t worry; you can still participate in our fast.
Over the years some have begun the fast with a commitment to God to maintain a specific diet for the 21 day period. The dietary restrictions you choose to abstain from are entirely up to you, but make sure you stick with it!
Here are some suggested alternatives to the Daniel Fast:
- Full Fast – During the 21 day period you decide how many days out of each week you will embrace a full fast, which includes no food, just water
- Vegetarian – This includes everything except meat for 21 days
- Partial Fast – A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunup to sundown
Whichever method you choose, we pray that this fast will help you start off 2023 in God’s presence!
