asbc seek devotionals 2025 2 - Flipbook - Page 5
HOW TO FAST?
• All whole grains – amaranth, barley, brown rice, oats,
quinoa, millet, and whole wheat.
Before embarking on a fast, participants should
prepare themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Keep in mind that fasting is not a form of dieting
and all participants should consult their primary care
physicians before making any changes to their diet.
We also suggest preparing your meals in advance in
order to maximize and focus your time and energy.
Remember, the objective of fasting is not only to
eliminate things from your daily routine, but also to
replace them with prayer. If you usually eat breakfast
at a certain time during the day, replace that time by
spending time in prayer. If you normally watch TV
when you get home from work, consider replacing
that time with reading the word of God. As you fast,
it is important to be consistent. However, if you break
your fast by accident or even miss a few days, don’t
beat yourself up or give up. Rather, get right back to
your fasting objectives. Remember, the objective isn’t
to be perfect, the objective is to be transformed.
• All nuts & seeds – almonds, cashews, macadamia
nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin
seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds;
unsweetened almond milk. Nut butters are also
included.
The Daniel Fast is a spiritual fast based on two biblical
accounts of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 1:15–16, Daniel
10:2–3). In the first biblical account, Daniel, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, underwent a 10-day “fast” in
order not to defile themselves with the King’s choice
meats that went against their dietary restrictions. Instead,
they ate vegetables and drank water. At the end of the
ten days, they looked healthier and more fit than the
other men who ate from the King’s choice foods. In the
second biblical account, the Prophet Daniel underwent
21 days of fasting in order to receive an interpretation
for a vision he received., Daniel refrained from eating
meat and drinking wine. As a result, at the conclusion
of his 21 days of fasting, he received a message from an
angel that interested his vision. In both biblical accounts,
Daniel under goes a fast in order to hear and remain
true to his God. The purpose of the Daniel Fast is not
to mimic Daniel, but rather to seek and focus on God.
In reality, today’s food industry is much different, than
that of Daniel’s time. However, changing our habits and
leaving our comfort foods and zones, we allow ourselves
to place our entire attention and dependency on God.
FOODS TO EAT ON THE
DANIEL FAST
• All quality oils – avocado, coconut, grapeseed, olive,
peanut, sesame, and walnut.
• Beverages– distilled water, filtered water, spring
water, fresh fruit or vegetable juices.
• Other – unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk,
rice milk, or soy milk; herbs, spices, salt, pepper,
unsweetened coconut flakes, seasonings, Bragg’s
Liquid Aminos, soy products, and tofu.
FOODS TO AVOID ON THE
DANIEL FAST
• All meat & animal products – bacon, beef, buffalo,
eggs, fish, lamb, poultry, and pork.
• All dairy products – butter, cheese, cream, milk, and
yogurt.
• All sweeteners – agave nectar, artificial sweeteners,
brown rice syrup, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw
sugar, syrups, and sugar.
• All leavened bread & yeast – baked goods and
Ezekiel bread (if it contains yeast and honey).
• All refined & processed food products – artificial
flavorings, chemicals, food additives, preservatives,
white flour, and white rice.
• All deep-fried foods – corn chips, French fries, and
potato chips.
DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL | ALFRED STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
WHAT IS THE DANIEL FAST?
• All legumes – canned or dried; black beans,
black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans
(chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans,
lentils, pinto beans, and split peas.
• All solid fats – lard, margarine, and shortening.
• Beverages – alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee,
energy drinks, herbal tea, and tea..
– by Kristen Feola, “Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast”
• All fruit – fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
• All vegetables – fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
5
