The Daniel Fast
February 14th marked the beginning of the Lenten season. If you’re unfamiliar with what Lent is, here’s a little video:
This year, just prior to Lent, a coworker told me about “The Daniel Fast”. I’ve found fasting and prayer to be very beneficial in the past, so I thought I’d look into it. Here’s what I found:
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.” (3)
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.”
https://draxe.com/daniel-fast/
Daniel and his fellow countrymen showed a great deal of perseverance and self-control to be able to resist the rich decadent foods of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel didn’t want to break Mosaic Law. Daniel would fast later in the book, for 3 weeks to prepare himself, spiritually. Always up for a challenge, I thought this was just the test for me.
So, on the 14th I began my fast of vegetables and water, which is much stricter than what the fast I found online calls for, only breaking the fast on Sundays. I also began reading the Book of Daniel. The first 4 days were tough. Low energy, tired, just real blah. I thought maybe I was getting the flu that had been going around. On the 5th day though, I woke up feeling great! Now I’m 2 and half weeks into it and food tastes better, and not just any food, nutritious food. Most of you know, I love a good cheese burger. I went to my favorite burger joint on Sunday and was no longer impressed! I ate a doughnut and couldn’t finish the whole thing! I no longer crave sugar or caffeine. I think my skin looks healthier and I’ve dropped 7 pounds. My favorite foods have become vegetables!
Daniel 1: 15-16, At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
The Daniel Fast calls for 3 weeks, 21 days. Lent runs for almost 6 weeks, 40 days if you don’t count Sundays. I’m excited to see what amazing changes will occur over the next 3 and a half weeks and, with Gods help; I certainly hope the habits I build will stick with me for a long time.
