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21 Days To Change Objectives:
From January 6 - January 27, 2008 Our objectives are to:
- Practice the Daniel fast for 21 days.
- Meet together for corporate prayer on Sundays, 20 minutes prior to the worship service you attend.
- Meet together for corporate prayer on each Wednesday at 7pm during the fast.
- Read the devotional guide online or in print each day during the fast.
- Increase your prayer, Scripture reading, journaling and quiet time.
Important Information About
21 Days To Change
Theme of the fast—fasting and prayer: Your goal in fasting is to become closer to God by voluntarily denying the demands of your flesh. Increase your prayer life during this time. Study the Scriptures with a new intensity. When the fast is over, you should have a new spiritual strength from overcoming the cravings that usually control your life and from dedicating yourself to God.
Biblical model: Fasting is described as a one of the spiritual disciplines. In the book of Daniel, chapter 1, Daniel describes an example of his personal fasting and the dramatic results. Isaiah described God's chosen fast in Isaiah 58. Jesus fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and spoke of the necessity of fasting for believers. It was a normal part of early church life. Spiritual fasting entails setting aside activities as well as reducing the intake of food and replacing these activities with the exercise of prayer and preoccupation with spiritual concerns. Fasting is a physical experience that reflects a spiritual commitment. (Matt 6:16-18; Ps 35:13; Ezr 8:23; Matt 4:1-11; Dan 9:3; Isa 58:14)
Following your own conscience: The precise details of your fast are between you and God. In Romans 14, the apostle Paul describes how we should relate in love to one another in the matter of what we eat or choose not to eat. He says, "Each person is free to follow the convictions of his own conscience" (Romans 14, The Message). If you fast often, you may need to turn up your fasting another level during this time. If this is your first fast, you may not be able to endure as many restrictions as someone else who fasts frequently. In the future, live a "fasted lifestyle," increasingly accommodating God and not the flesh.
Accountability and support groups. You will probably be most successful with this fast if you make yourself accountable to at least one other person during this fast. You may want to form a group of five to seven people who meet occasionally or talk by phone. Encourage one another. If someone falls and eats the wrong foods, do not condemn them. Help them start again. Walk in love and mercy.
Restricting television and entertainment. It will be difficult for you to consecrate yourself if you feed yourself on television and movies during this time.
What about children? Children, especially small children, will have special needs that must be considered. Under these conditions, find some sacrifice in the area of food that can be made without endangering health. One option is to eliminate sugar, bread and most dairy products.
Do you have any questions?
Post your question to Pastor Carter's Blog!
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Overview of The Daniel Fast:
The Daniel fast drastically restricts normal food intake by cutting away many of the foods you commonly eat to satisfy your appetite. During the Daniel fast, there will be a sense of hunger much of the time and a sense of sacrifice even when we eat.
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Foods & Liquids
Types of foods included in
The Daniel Fast:
- Vegetables, preferably fresh or frozen vegetables. Vegetables such as potatoes, beans, and soybeans will help provide substance.
- It is advisable to take vitamin, mineral, and possibly protein supplements during the fast. You may also include various nuts to serve as a protein supplement.
- Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
- Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
- Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
- Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
- Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
- Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices (apple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, etc.) (no sweetened drinks or sweetened fruit)
Foods NOT included in this Daniel fast:
• Sugar and sugar products (desserts, soft drinks, etc.)
• Drinks including caffeine (coffee, tea, etc.)
• Bread, grains, and rice
• Meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, eggs
• Fried Foods
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
Important
Water:
Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily throughout the fast. This is very important.
Side effects:
You may experience moderate to severe headaches for the first day or two as your body rids itself of caffeine, salt, sugar, and various impurities. You may need to take Advil or aspirin.
Important exceptions:
Anyone with a medical condition related to eating or under the treatment of a physician must consult their doctor. Also, if you have extreme difficulty with the fast, such as impairment of your ability to work at your job, you will have to make adjustments. This is not a failure of will but is wisdom. Seek the Lord and discuss it with other Christians involved in the fast to find alternatives.
Do you have any questions?
Post your question to Pastor Carter's Blog!
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