40-Days Corporate Fasting Season

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

2025 is another exciting year of the LORD! The Word that I shared today, first Sunday, January 5, 2025, entitled “In the Beginning God” – A Two Part Series, I was inspired and my spirit was stirred at the beginning of Our Daily Bread, Bible in a Year Discipline, focusing on Genesis 1, Ezra 1, Matthew 1, and Acts 1. In the beginning of Genesis, God spoke on a daily basis that brought creation including us, who were created in His image and according to His likeness. And in the beginning of the Book of Ezra, God stirred the spirit of King Cyrus to make a decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. God moved also stirred the spirits of the Israelites who were under exile at that time, and they arose and go up and build the house of the LORD, the temple in Jerusalem.

God is stirring our spirit today and we need to build or rebuild our “temple.” Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It’s the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We are the temple that signifies the sacredness of our body and life calling for reverence, purity, and discipline. We commit to offer our lives as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God as our reasonable worship. To live a life surrendered fully and is pleasing to Him.

I love what Ezra did in Ezra 8:2. He proclaimed a fast that: First, that they might humble themselves before God; and Second, to seek from God the right way for them.

As a response to this Word, we will embark on a 40-Days Corporate Fasting Season. We will be doing the Daniel Fast to draw us closer to the Lord from January 6, 2025 to February 14, 2025. Through Prayer and Fasting, we will:

1. humble our lives unto the Lord

2. Seek from Him how will move forward personally and as a Church

3. Build/Re-Build, Sanctify, Beautify our “Temple” of the Holy Spirit pleasing to God

4. Seek God to expose in us the things that we need to give up, to forgive, and to focus on.

5. Commitment to finishing “Our Daily Bread” Bible in a Year, Intense Prayer and Intercessions.

For the first timers, it is optional for you to do the entire 40-Days Daniel Fast. Choose how many days: 3 days, 7 days, 14 days… Once a week, twice a week, or three-times a week. Pray about it. Declaring that you will enjoy and have delight in this season of fasting and at the end, it will draw you closer to God, more intimate with Him, and hungering more of His presence day by day.

What foods are allowed during the Daniel fast?

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by believers throughout the centuries, and one of the most well-known fasts in the Bible is the Daniel Fast.

This fast is inspired by the prophet Daniel and is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 1:8-16 and Daniel 10:2-3. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, meaning that it restricts certain foods rather than abstaining from all food.

The Daniel Fast is based on two specific instances in Daniel’s life. In Daniel 1:8-16, we see Daniel and his friends choosing to eat vegetables and drink water instead of partaking in the royal food and wine. This decision was made to avoid defiling themselves with food that may have been offered to idols or not prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. In Daniel 10:2-3, Daniel enters a period of mourning and abstains from “pleasant food,” meat, and wine for three weeks.

From these passages, we can derive a list of foods that are typically allowed during the Daniel Fast, focusing on natural, whole foods. The emphasis is on simplicity and purity, reflecting Daniel’s desire to honor God with his food diet.

Allowed Foods

1. Vegetables and Fruits: The primary component of the Daniel Fast is vegetables. This includes all types of vegetables, whether fresh, frozen, or canned (without added sugars or preservatives). Examples include leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions, potatoes, and more. Fruits are also allowed and can be consumed in fresh, frozen, or dried forms, as long as there are no added sugars. Examples include apples, oranges, bananas, berries, and grapes.
2. Whole Grains: Whole grains are permitted during the Daniel Fast. This includes brown rice, quinoa, oats, barley, and whole wheat products. These grains provide essential nutrients and fiber, supporting overall health and well-being.
3. Legumes: Legumes such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas are excellent sources of protein and fiber. They are a staple in the Daniel Fast and can be used in soups, stews, salads, and other dishes.
4. Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds, including almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds, are allowed. They provide healthy fats, protein, and other essential nutrients. However, it is important to choose unsalted and unsweetened varieties.
5. Healthy Oils: While the Daniel Fast emphasizes a diet low in fats, healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil can be used in moderation for cooking and salad dressings.
6. Beverages: Water is the primary beverage during the Daniel Fast. Spring Water, Distilled Water, and other pure water. Herbal teas without caffeine or added sweeteners are also allowed. Freshly made vegetable and fruit juices can be consumed, but it is important to avoid those with added sugars.
7. Milk: pure Almond milk, Soya Milk, Oat Milk
8. Tofu and Soy products, 100% Apple Cider Vinegar, Himalayan Salt, seasonings, herbs, spices.

Foods to Avoid

1. Meat, Dairy, and Animal Products: All types of meat, including poultry, beef, pork, and seafood, are avoided during the Daniel Fast. This also includes animal by-products such as fresh milk, cheese, cream, butter, eggs, and other dairy products.
2. Processed Foods: Processed foods, which often contain additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, are not allowed. This includes white rice, white flour, food containing artificial preservatives and artificial flavorings, packaged snacks, fast food, takeaways, and pre-made meals.
3. Sweeteners: All forms of sweeteners, including sugar, honey, syrups, and artificial sweeteners, are to be avoided. The focus is on consuming foods in their natural state without added sugars.
4. Leavened Bread: Leavened bread, which contains yeast and other leavening agents, is not permitted. Instead, unleavened bread or flatbreads made from whole grains can be consumed.
5. Caffeinated and Alcoholic Beverages: Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, black tea, energy drinks, carbonated beverages, and soda are not allowed. The emphasis is on hydration through water and herbal teas.
6. Chocolates, Deep fried foods(potato chips french fries, corn chips, etc.)
7. Solid Fats (Margarine, lard, food high on fat)

Spiritual Significance

The Daniel Fast is not just about dietary restrictions; it is a spiritual journey that involves prayer, reflection, and seeking a deeper connection with God. By abstaining from certain foods, believers are reminded of their dependence on God and their commitment to spiritual growth. The simplicity of the diet allows for a focus on spiritual nourishment rather than physical indulgence.
In the Book of Daniel, we see the results of Daniel’s commitment to his fast. In Daniel 1:15, it is written, “At the end of ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.” This verse highlights the physical benefits of the fast, but more importantly, it underscores the spiritual discipline and faithfulness of Daniel and his friends.

Practical Tips

For those considering the Daniel Fast, it is important to prepare both spiritually and practically. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Plan Your Meals: Take time to plan your meals and snacks for the duration of the fast. This will help you stay on track and avoid the temptation of processed foods.
2. Read Labels: When purchasing packaged foods, be sure to read the labels carefully to ensure there are no added sugars or preservatives.
3. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support your body’s detoxification process.
4. Pray and Reflect: Use the time you would normally spend on meal preparation and eating to pray, read the Bible, and reflect on your spiritual journey.
5. Seek Support: Consider joining a group or finding an accountability partner who is also participating in the Daniel Fast. This can provide encouragement and support.

Biblical Reflection

The Daniel Fast is a powerful reminder of the importance of discipline, faith, and reliance on God. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, the fast calls believers to return to the basics of their faith and focus on their relationship with God. It is an opportunity to cleanse both the body and the spirit, drawing closer to God through intentional living.

As you embark on the Daniel Fast, remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:16-18: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Fasting is a deeply personal and spiritual experience. It is not about outward appearances or impressing others, but about humbling oneself before God and seeking His presence. The Daniel Fast is a beautiful expression of this discipline, offering a path to spiritual renewal and growth.

In conclusion, the Daniel Fast is a biblically inspired practice that involves consuming vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils while avoiding meat, processed foods, sweeteners, leavened bread, and caffeinated beverages. It is a journey of faith and discipline, drawing believers closer to God and fostering spiritual growth. As you participate in the Daniel Fast, may you experience the profound blessings of a deeper connection with God and a renewed spirit.

If you have any questions, please feel free to talk and message me.

In Christ,

Pastor Nestor