The Season of Discipline, Deliverance and Direction
A Call to a Corporate Fast

To “Fast” is a Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.  Fasting is not limited to the abstinence of food, but its ultimate purpose is to discipline the flesh.

Jesus said in Mark 9:29, “This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”

Isaiah 58:6 offers God’s very own words about the effects of rightful praying and fasting. God outlines the purpose of our fast.   He says, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the opposed go free, and that you break every yoke?”

In both passages; the end result of rightful praying and fasting is liberation, healing and salvation. I believe that God wants us to be unencumbered with current or past bondage.

The Daniel Fast (excerpt from “Toxic Relief” by Don Colbert, M.D.)

Daniel and three other Hebrew youths, Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, were Jews held in captivity, in the kingdom of Babylon.  They were greatly favored for their purity, and they were well educated and extremely gifted both mentally and spiritually.

When these four young men were captured and taken into the king’s palace to educate them in the ways of the Chaldeans, Daniel 1:5 states, “The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table” (NIV).  He planned to keep them on his own rich diet of meats, fats, sugary pastries and wine for three years.  At the end of the three years they would be presented to the king.

However, verse 8 says, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine” (NIV).   In other words, Daniel rejected the rich, temptingly delicious meats, wine and pastries of the royal court, perhaps because they did not meet the requirements of Jewish dietary laws or because these youths may have taken vows against drinking alcohol.

So, Daniel made a request of the prince of the eunuchs. Verse 12 says, “Please test your servants for ten days: give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink” (NIV).  The King James Version uses the word pulse. “Pulse” consisted  of vegetables  and grain, wheat, barley, rye, peas, beans and lentils.

Daniel and the three other Hebrew youths lived a fasted life for three years on the vegetarian diet of pulse while learning and studying in the king’s court, and God honored their partial fast.  We’re told in verse 15, “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished then any of the young men who ate the royal food” (NIV).

God tremendously favored their decision to fast and granted them favor, wisdom and insight far above anyone around them.  In versus 18 – 20 (NIV) we read:

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked  with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so, they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned  them, he found  them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Daniel  knew  what  was healthy  to eat, and he purposed  in his heart  that he would  not defile himself.  The Daniel fast eliminates rich foods such as meats, pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, alcohol and any other food that is tempting to the flesh.

Today, people are so bound to their flesh that they often cannot go one meal without eating some form of meat, something sweet, fatty or some other type of rich food. We must crucify our flesh daily and take up our cross and follow Christ. (See Matthew 16:24.)  What better way to crucify our flesh than to follow Daniel’s fasted lifestyle?

Guidelines for the Daniel Fast

(Types of Foods ALLOWED)

• Whole Grains, whole wheat and brown or wild rice (be sure there is no white rice in the wild rice), wheat/spinach wraps are ok but should be used in moderation.
• Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
• Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
• Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
• Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
• Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices (no sweetened drinks or sweetened fruit juice), honey is a natural sweetener which may be used in moderation
• Pure olive oil, peanut oil (in moderation)
• Natural herbs and spices
• Dairy products
• Eggs

(Foods NOT ALLOWED)

• Sugar and sugar products, refined sugar products (desserts, soft drinks, diet soda etc.)
• Wines, Alcoholic beverages
• Drinks including caffeine (coffee, dark teas, etc.), Non sweet green/herbal teas are ok
• Refined Bread, grains, and rice
• Meats (Including Fish)

Goals of the Corporate Fast

Spiritual Guidelines

• First, may you develop a greater understanding and appreciation of who you are in Christ Jesus. (Col 1:27)
• Second,  may  your  life  experiences become captured testimonies to be used as tools for evangelism.
• Third, may you develop the discipline of studying your Bible and praying daily.
• Fourth, may you seek God for revelation and deliverance from any personal “ought” against any individual and become focused on accomplishing your personal divine assignment.
• Fifth, may you gain strength and discipline in every area of your life including deliverance from any carnal habit.
• Sixth, may you experience peace and contentment throughout the year.
• Seventh, may our Lord reveal to you that open door for your future!

Prayer and Study

Your  goal in fasting is to develop a closer relationship with God by voluntarily denying your flesh. Fasting is a time of consecration from the things of the world to the things of God. First, fasting allows you to improve your communication with God through prayer and as your communication improves your relationship with God is strengthened. Thus, to effectively communicate with God you must have a strong prayer life. It is critical to increase your prayer time during a fast. Pray as often as possible or do as the Scripture says and pray without ceasing. Carry yourself in a posture of prayer not only to ask of God, but to hear from Him as well. Set aside certain specific times for prayer and journaling.

Here are some pointers that will also help:

• • • Take time to be quiet before the Lord and listen to the voice of the Spirit.•
    • Record in your journal what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you.
    • Write down prayer requests.
    • Write down revelation and insights given to you during the fast.
    • Write down your praise reports.
    • Write down any dreams and pray for the interpretation of them.

A second and powerful way to develop a closer relationship with God is to study the scriptures. The scripture is the very Word of God. To know God, you must know His Word. In addition to prayer, during a fast, you should increase your time of studying His Word. Listen to Bible teaching tapes while you’re  driving, at work or at home  to help you stay focused  on  God’s  Word. Try to saturate your atmosphere with the Word of God. When the fast is over, you should be spiritually renewed and strengthened  because you have more control over your flesh and intensified  your commitment  to God through prayer and study.

Please pray in your closets (isolation) and/or with a partner for 20 minutes twice each day, but maintain a posture of prayer throughout the day and meditate on the following scriptures daily throughout the fast:

Accountability

Accountability is a powerful tool for success. You will probably be most successful with this fast if you make yourself accountable to at least one other person during this fast. Encourage  one another. If someone falls and eats the wrong foods, do not condemn them. Help them start again. Walk in love and mercy. During this period, as you continually place your flesh under submission to your spirit, you will find increasing opportunities to reflect the character of God in your daily walk.

Special Note: For those with health issues, consult your physician for guidance and participation. You may not be able to participate in the Daniel fast, but ALL may select one or more of the following fasts to participate in:

• • • A word fast (a refusal to speak any words that hurt, injure or cause fear, doubt, anger, strife, shame or guilt)
    • A media fast – (a fast from media, TV, internet and radio in order to listen to the Bible on tape or listen to teaching tapes instead)
    • A fast from harsh, critical words at home (This fast will help you as a mother or father to use language that is courteous, kind and uplifting to children. It will  help you as a husband or wife to speak only encouraging, uplifting words to your spouse.)
    • A fast from gossip (Are you surrounded by gossip, criticism and negativity at work or with a social group? This fast helps you gain control over such deadly, toxic social environments. Simply refuse to listen to any gossip.)
    • A financial  fast (Purchase  “The Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom”  by Michelle Singletary – available in Hope Treasures).

Children may participate under parental supervision. Parents are encouraged to explain fasting to their children and solicit their commitment  (i.e.  ask them what they are going to fast  –  sugars, dessert, television, phone, etc.)

The initial awareness of hunger, though very real, is only a habit feeling, which has been acquired over the years. The body has a routine, and it does not take easily to a break in that routine. Our bodies come to assume that food will arrive at regular intervals. If this habit feeling is ignored, it will leave eventually; it is only a feeling.  It is bound to appear, and we can’t stop it from coming, because habits do die hard. You may experience moderate to severe headaches for the first day or two as your body rids itself of caffeine, salt, sugar, and various impurities. If a glass of warm water is taken at intervals of not less than every four  hours, the feeling of hunger will be diminished considerably. Also  remember, it is very important to drink 8 glasses of water daily throughout the fast.

Important exceptions: Anyone with a medical condition related to eating or under the treatment of a physician must consult their doctor. Children, especially small children, will have special needs that must be considered. Under these conditions, find some sacrifice in the area of food that can be made without endangering your health. Also, if you have extreme difficulty with the fast, such as impairment of your ability to work at your job, you will have to make adjustments. This is not a failure of will but is wisdom. Seek the Lord and discuss it with other Christians involved in the fast to find alternatives.

Breaking the Fast

At the conclusion of the fast slowly introduce your normal eating patterns.   Start with soft foods for at least one day and slowly introduce those foods that God is leading you to eat in your new dietary plan (notice those things/items that God has delivered you from.)