2024 Daniel Fast - Flipbook - Page 4
Why Do We Fast?
Why do we fast and pray? Isaiah 58:6-12 declares,
“God did require fasting that would be accompanied by penitence and changed behavior. Those
fasting would allow the oppressed to go free (v.6) and care for the downtrodden (v. 7). These acts of
repentance will result in messianic blessing. The light (a metaphor for the Messiah, cf. Isa. 9:2) will
come, as will their recovery (literally, “healing”) referring to spiritual and physical restoration (v.
8). The nation will experience righteousness and the glory of the LORD. Most importantly, the
LORD will answer their prayers because of their obedience and guide them (vv. 9-11). At that time,
the nation will rebuild the ancient ruins of Israel (v. 12)” (Rydelnik & Vanlaningham, 2014, p. 1095).
The beginning of the New Year is traditional for new beginnings and creating good habits. As a
collective body (the Shiloh Baptist Church), we want to improve our relationship with God by
surrendering ourselves to the will of God through spending time in His word, praying to Him, and
setting aside devotion time to hear from God. Through this reading plan, we will explore, meditate,
and study Scriptures that emphasize what it means to surrender to God’s will and why it is essential
to surrender to God’s authority in all areas of our lives.
How we should fast:
Restrict your food intake by limiting your consumption to the church fast (if possible, health-wise),
which is “the Daniel Fast.” Daniel 10:2-3 instructs, “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.”
For 21 days, as a church, we will eat no meat, poultry, fish, starches, sweets, caffeinated drinks,
sodas, nor drink alcoholic beverages. In addition, we are to sacrifice to restrict our involvement in
favorite activities, i.e., watching television, unconcerned, judgmental, and unedifying telephone
conversations with friends, and/or surfing the net, etc., we are to pray without ceasing. In the book
of Daniel, we learn of his complete dedication to God. Daniel refused to defile his body by eating
animal products (including fish, shellfish, dairy products, or eggs), manufactured chemicals,
artificial flavorings/colorings, food additives, preservatives, or highly processed foods. So, we seek
to eat wholesome foods and engage only in healthy talk, thoughts, and activities.
I.
Spiritual Preparation
We are to confess our sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive
all we perceive have offended us and ask forgiveness from those we may have offended
(Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender our lives fully to Jesus Christ and reject the
worldly desires that try to hinder us (Romans 12:1-2). In our prayers, confess intentional
sins, but also unintentional ones as well. In other words, the sins of omission and the sins of
commission. These may include worldly-mindedness, self-centeredness, spiritual
indifference, and unwillingness to share our faith in Christ with others, not spending
sufficient time in God’s Word and prayer, poor relationship with our spouse, our intended,
our children, our friends, our pastor, or other members of our church and community.
Throughout Scripture, we find many men and women entering into fasting times: Job, Jonah,
Esther, Isaiah, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Joel, John the Baptist, JESUS, John, and Paul. Fasting is
a tool created by GOD the Father to help bring His children into closer communication and
relationship with Him.
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One Church Advancing the Kingdom of God
