21 Day Daniel Fast | Grant Worship Center

Grant AME Worship Center

21 Day Daniel Fast

January 3-23, 2024

“We’re Better Together!”

Psalm 133:1 (NIV): 1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Why the Daniel Fast to start the New Year?

Church congregations, study groups, and individuals often use the Daniel Fast as their method of fasting to begin the New Year. This method of fasting opens this powerful discipline to many people who find it difficult to fast for multiple days on a water-only or liquid-only method of fasting (called a normal fast). The blessing is that you can continue to meet your home and work responsibilities while fasting and receiving from the Lord.

Fasting was designed by God, not to change Him, but rather to change us! Fasting doesn’t show God that you are good or deserving. Only Jesus Christ does that for us. However, fasting does bring us into an experience where our hearts are more open to what the Lord wants to show us for our individual lives.

In the Old Testament, the word “fast” is derived from the Hebrew term tsom, which refers to the practice of self-denial. It was Hannah, who later became the mother of Samuel, who was so troubled about her inability to have children “she wept and did not eat.” (I Samuel 1:7) In the New Testament, the word “fast” is derived from the Greek word nesteia, which also refers to self-denial. When Jesus began his public ministry, Jesus did so with an extended fast of 40 days. (Matthew 4:1,2) Fasting is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting is not a tool to twist the arm of God so that He will give you exactly what you want. Fasting has a spiritual purpose and that purpose is to get your flesh out of the way, so the Spirit of God can move in your life. Fasting removes barriers to communication with God and allows your spiritual nature to commune directly with the heavenly Father – without disturbance. When a person makes a determination to fast, they are making a determination to remove the obstacles in their life and submit to the will of God.

What Is The Scriptural Basis For The 21 Day Daniel Fast?

The scriptural basis for this fast is Daniel 10:2-3. At the end of his fast Daniel and his friends were found to be healthier physically, mentally and spiritually than any of their other contemporaries who had made no sacrifice for their faith. At the end of their training period, Daniel and his friends received such favor and showed such wisdom they were given promotions in the kingdom.

What Foods Are We To Include During The Daniel Fast?

All fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruits, grapes, guavas, honey- dew melons, kiwis, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon

All vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains: including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, rice cakes and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds: including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, pea- nuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter without sugar.

All legumes: These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, green beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and white beans.

All quality oils: including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water and pure juices.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Fish Option: May eat fish once a week following the Biblical principles.

What Foods Are We To Avoid During The Daniel Fast?

All meat and animal products: including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, fish, and poultry.

All dairy products: including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners: including but not limited to sugar, honey, raw sugar, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

All leavened bread: including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast) and baked goods.

All refined and processed food products: including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All deep-fried foods: including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips, etc.

Beverages: Coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, energy drinks or any other caffeine drinks

Word of Caution

Persons who have certain dietary restrictions are encouraged to consult their physician before beginning the Daniel or any other food fast. In the event a competent and certified physician advises against your participation in the Daniel Fast, you are asked to seek God’s direction regarding the sacrifice that is appropriate for you so you can: reach a new dimension of spiritual breakthrough; and, you can be in agreement with your brothers and sisters in Christ who are participating in the Daniel Fast. Also for persons who intake caffeine, it is suggested that a gradual reduction of your caffeine intake starts before the Daniel Fast begins on January 3rd, 2024.

Daily Devotional Reading During Our 21 Day Daniel Fast

Dan. 9:3-4
Dan. 9:5
Dan. 9:17-19
Dan. 1:11-14
Dan. 10:1-3
Dan. 10:4-7
Dan. 10:8-11
Dan. 10:12-15
Dan. 10:16-19
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
Romans 5:8-9
Psalm 119:97-103
Psalm 51:7-10
Dan. 10:7-12
Mark 16:15-16
2 Chron. 7:13-14
Acts 2:1-4
John 3:30-31
Philippians 4:4-8
John 13:34-35
Luke 10:25-28

Daily Prayer During Our 21 Day Daniel Fast

For 21 Days pray each day with the theme, “We’re Better Together,” in your spirit.

If there be any hatred, generational curses, dissention, lack of communication, spousal separation, pending divorce, disrespectful children…etc. in your family, pray that you and your family will put “pride” and the “past” aside and come together by the power of the Holy Spirit in the next 21 Days! (call those family members names and the issues in the family while you pray!)

If there be any jealousy, anger, hatred or pettiness between you and friend(s), pray that you and your friend(s) will put those issues behind you and start afresh in the next 21 Days!

If there be any issues between you and a church member pray that God will give you and them a spirit of forgiveness and forgetfulness in the next 21 Days!

Daily Congregational Care During Our 21 Day Daniel Fast

Each day of our 21 Day Daniel Fast each member of our church is asked to call/text or email at least one current member. You can’t call/text or email the same member more than once during the fast. Please keep a record of who you communicate with. In your interaction with them please ask them the following questions sometime during the conversation.

How are you and your family doing?
Is there anything that you or your family needs?
Is there anything that I can pray for?

(Please step outside of your “circle of friends”!)

At The Conclusion Of Our 21 Day Daniel Fast

At the conclusion of our 21 Day Daniel Fast we will have members of the church give testimonies during our Sunday morning worship services and on social media about how the Fast impacted their lives.

GWC there are so many ways that you can be a part of this Church Wide Initiative. Of course, I would like each of you to do the Fast in its entirety (Daniel Fast, Daily Readings, Daily Prayer and Calling Members). Although my hope is for that to happen, I know that it won’t because of numerous reasons. But I do believe that you and your family can implement at least three of the objectives so that you personally and we collectively @GWC can experience the awesome power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during 2024! Before you make a decision on what you’re going to do, make sure you pray, then act accordingly. I love each of you. PEACE!

PS. The 21 Daniel Fast not only helps you to find God’s will for your life but it will also help you to lose some pounds and improve your “numbers.” Because of the Fast there will be a transformation inside and outside. Spiritually and Physically! Just watch!

We’re Better Together, May God Bless You!

Sylvester Delaney Patton, III-DMin.