Welcome to 2024, The Year of Open Doors. I believe this year will present opens doors that will lead us into fulfilling more of God’s will in our lives, our families, ministry, service, outreach.
That being said, I would like for you to join us for a 10 day fast and 15 day Prayer Devotional. This will be a time of transformation where we pause and reset our heart, mind and body.
Jesus in the Sermon On The Mount, taught his disciples the principles of prayer. He said to pray, “Let thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven”. The next 15 days will be a time of reflection, introspection, cleansing the body of toxins, habits, renewal and resetting our thoughts and mindsets. More importantly, it will help refresh and restore our spirit from sinful distractions. This combined with fasting, (not just from food but also from noise, social media, busyness) will position us to LISTEN and Seek His revealed will for the upcoming year. As we embrace this time of separation, let’s also have expectation for great things to unfold!
That being said, I would like for you to join us for a 10 day fast and 15 day Prayer Devotional. This will be a time of transformation where we pause and reset our heart, mind and body.
Jesus in the Sermon On The Mount, taught his disciples the principles of prayer. He said to pray, “Let thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven”. The next 15 days will be a time of reflection, introspection, cleansing the body of toxins, habits, renewal and resetting our thoughts and mindsets. More importantly, it will help refresh and restore our spirit from sinful distractions. This combined with fasting, (not just from food but also from noise, social media, busyness) will position us to LISTEN and Seek His revealed will for the upcoming year. As we embrace this time of separation, let’s also have expectation for great things to unfold!
The Daniel Fast is a based on a story from the biblical Book of Daniel. In the story Daniel enters a strict vegan diet that prohibits animal products, leavened breads, processed foods, and alcohol for 21 days. (Ours is a modified partial 10 day fast.)
Daniel's fasting and praying brought him closer to God and opened his eyes to Godly visions. We are expecting God to reveal Himself, His Plans, and Open Doors for us for this new year.
For the first 10 days we will be participating in a partial Daniel fast. We will only eat fruits, vegetables, and grains. The daily fast will also include a daily scripture reading which will guide your meditation and prayer time. Also, do your best not to miss any of the In-Person or virtual services during the fast.
THE DANIEL FAST SUMMARY
The fast begins on Sunday, January 28th, at 12 midnight and the prayer devotions will continue 5 more days until Sunday February 11th. This will be Celebration Sunday.
Daniel's fasting and praying brought him closer to God and opened his eyes to Godly visions. We are expecting God to reveal Himself, His Plans, and Open Doors for us for this new year.
For the first 10 days we will be participating in a partial Daniel fast. We will only eat fruits, vegetables, and grains. The daily fast will also include a daily scripture reading which will guide your meditation and prayer time. Also, do your best not to miss any of the In-Person or virtual services during the fast.
THE DANIEL FAST SUMMARY
The fast begins on Sunday, January 28th, at 12 midnight and the prayer devotions will continue 5 more days until Sunday February 11th. This will be Celebration Sunday.
WHOLE GRAINS
Barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice.
FRUIT
All fruit is allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). Except, dried fruit that contains added sugar.
VEGETABLES
All vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned).
BEANS
Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas.
NUTS AND SEEDS
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts, pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds.
OILS
Oils coconut oil, olive oil, and sesame oil are allowed but- used sparingly. You can sauté foods in olive oil deep-frying them.
OTHER
Unleavened bread (whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives
All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper.
Soy products (such as edamame and soy nuts) and tofu are acceptable.
BEVERAGES
Water is to be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. Also Includes- distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water. However, you may have 100% fruit juice on occasion (just don't overdo it). You can also use 100% fruit juice in recipes.
Also, unsweetened non-dairy milk is acceptable, like almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk.
Barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice.
FRUIT
All fruit is allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). Except, dried fruit that contains added sugar.
VEGETABLES
All vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned).
BEANS
Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas.
NUTS AND SEEDS
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts, pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds.
OILS
Oils coconut oil, olive oil, and sesame oil are allowed but- used sparingly. You can sauté foods in olive oil deep-frying them.
OTHER
Unleavened bread (whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives
All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper.
Soy products (such as edamame and soy nuts) and tofu are acceptable.
BEVERAGES
Water is to be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. Also Includes- distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water. However, you may have 100% fruit juice on occasion (just don't overdo it). You can also use 100% fruit juice in recipes.
Also, unsweetened non-dairy milk is acceptable, like almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk.
ANIMAL PRODUCTS
ADDED SUGAR
Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar.
Yeast
Yeast; therefore, leavened bread isn't part of the Daniel Fast.
REFINED GRAINS
White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel - the bran, germ, and endosperm.
PROCESSED FOOD
Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives.
DEEP-FRIED FOODS
Like; corn chips, French fries, and potato chips,
SOLID FATS
Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening.
CHOCOLATE
Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao.
CAFFEINATED AND ALCOHOLIC
- Meat (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey).
- Dairy (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt)
- Fish
- Eggs
ADDED SUGAR
Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar.
Yeast
Yeast; therefore, leavened bread isn't part of the Daniel Fast.
REFINED GRAINS
White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel - the bran, germ, and endosperm.
PROCESSED FOOD
Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives.
DEEP-FRIED FOODS
Like; corn chips, French fries, and potato chips,
SOLID FATS
Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening.
CHOCOLATE
Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao.
CAFFEINATED AND ALCOHOLIC
Is it safe to fast?
In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting. By all means, consult your doctor before you begin your fast. However, there are certain persons who should NEVER fast without professional supervision.
For example:
In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting. By all means, consult your doctor before you begin your fast. However, there are certain persons who should NEVER fast without professional supervision.
For example:
- Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated. Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other behavioral disorders.
- Those who suffer weakness or anemia. Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia.
- Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, etc.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing.
- Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, or have heart disease.