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You are Invited! |
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Pastor Bryan Koch and I are joining with others on a 21-Day Daniel Fast. I would like to invite you to join with us. We are planning to start the 21-Day Fast on Monday, January 7th. This fast is based off the model set out by Daniel:
"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I ate no rich food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." (Daniel 10:2,3)
Please don't feel pressured to participate. We just thought that it might be of value if we took part in this together. Some will commit to a shorter period of spiritual fasting, but still give a "first fruits offering" of themselves to the Lord by beginning the New Year with prayer and fasting.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom Rees
Saturday Night Pastor
tom@penndel.org
Fasting Guidelines
FOCUS
The fast is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. As a church, we are fasting in order to deepen our relationship with God and to walk in step with His plan and purpose. A great way to do this is to redirect our food source. This is accomplished through substituting our regular food intake with Bible reading, praying and journaling. The overall goal is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God.
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The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, which means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have generous options available. We will focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple. We have included a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.
If you have any condition which would prohibit you from being a part of the Daniel Fast, there are other options. Choose something from your daily routine (i.e. specific foods or beverages, television, other technology, etc.) and fast in that manner for the next 21 days. Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit in which you participate.
*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.
Practical Advice
Susan Gregory has some great advice as we get started:
1. You will probably need to cook a vast majority of your meals “from scratch.” That’s because so many of the prepared foods include sugar and chemicals, which are both no-no’s on the Daniel Fast.
2. READ THE LABELS. You will likely be amazed, and maybe even a bit discouraged, as you try to find prepared foods that are sugar-free and chemical-free. And this is why in point #1 I said you will likely prepare most of your meals from scratch. But make sure you read the labels.
3. Use frozen vegetables. Obviously, you will increase your use of vegetables on the Daniel Fast. The good news is that the vegetables found in the frozen food cases are usually totally free from any chemicals and they are more nutritious than most vegetables found in the produce section (that’s because fruits and vegetables lose their vitamins and minerals the longer they are separated from their vine or branch - wow, there’s a spiritual truth in that statement - and when the foods are flash frozen within only a few hours from harvesting, they retain more of their food value). Frozen fruits and vegetables are also “ready to go.” They are washed, trimmed, sliced and diced and ready for you to do your creative work on them to make them even better!
4. Generally, if a food is a fruit or vegetable and free from sugar or chemicals, it is okay for the Daniel Fast. Make sure you review the Daniel Fast Food List and then make a call.
5. Beans, rice and tofu are
great sources of protein. The Daniel Fast is a great time to find new recipes that may become family favorites. There are millions of people in the world who eat foods consistent with the Daniel Fast as their core diet. Look for Asian, Latin, and East Indian recipes and you will find many are appropriate for the Daniel Fast with just a few variations.
Susan has some more helpful information here. |
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Here are some areas we can join together in directing our prayers towards during the Daniel Fast:
January 7 - 13
PRAYER FOCUS - PERSONAL ALIGNMENT
• For an openness to spiritual reality in our lives
• That we will personally hunger for a move of the Holy Spirit
• For a growing hunger for God in each of our lives and in our families
• For a renewed hunger for reading and studying God's Word
• For a renewed passion for fasting & prayer
• For a growing passion to reach the unsaved
• That we will be sensitive to open doors to present the gospel
• That we will have a renewed personal commitment to Pentecost
January 14 - 20
PRAYER FOCUS - BROKENESS
• For a strengthening of moral and Biblical values in our nation
• That people would turn to God in times of need
• For strong marriage and family relationships
• For a powerful sweep of the Holy Spirit across our nation
• For our government - that our President and leaders will seek divine guidance daily
• That the oval office will be a place of strong, moral leadership
• For God's protection for our nation
• For God's wisdom for our leaders
• That all believers will stand for morality and righteousness
January 21 - 27
PRAYER FOCUS - CORPORATE VISION
• That our church will have a positive impact on our community
• That a culture of prayer will develop in our church
• That effective ministries will continue to develop in our church
• That we will collectively seek God's presence and power through fasting & prayer
• That our congregation will resound with testimonies of God's help in answer to prayer
• That we will reach out to all cultures and ethnicities
• That we will help people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ
• For outreach opportunities in our community
• That the gifts of the Spirit will operate powerfully in our church
FOODS TO EAT
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, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
Liquids:
Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% Fruit Juices, 100% Vegetable Juices. You may drink protein drinks if they do not include dairy products.
Others:
Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
This list of foods is merely a first step to get you thinking about making better food choices. Remember, this fast is about growing your relationship with God. And He's not as concerned about what is in your stomach as He is about what is in your heart.
Daniel's decision not to eat the king's food was an outward symbol of an inward commitment he had made to God. Let your choices over the next three weeks reflect the hunger your have for God's presence in your life.
Since there is no definitive list of foods for the Daniel Diet, it is truly the spirit of Daniel's decision that we are imitating over the next 21 days. If there is something that is not specifically listed that you think still qualifies, then feel free to adjust this accordingly. The details of the fast are between you and God - use this time to focus on Him.
FOODS TO AVOID
All Refined or Processed Food Products
All Animal Products (Meat, Dairy, Fish, Etc.)
Meat (Beef, Poultry, Lamb, Etc.)
Bread And Other Baked Goods
Dairy Products, Including Eggs, Milk, Cream, Etc.
White Rice
Fried Foods
Caffeine
Carbonated Beverages
Foods Containing Preservatives Or Additives
Refined Sugar
Sugar Substitutes
White Flour And All Products Using It
Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
Do not treat them as laws, if you have taken something by accident, do not feel condemned, or you will not benefit from this fast.
Special Note: If you have health issues, please be sure to contact your health professional for advice before committing to any fast including the Daniel Fast. |
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