Tabernacle of Praise Church Int’l

Daniel Fast - January9th-29th, 2017

Fasting is refraining from food or something significant for a spiritual purpose. It is an old ritual taken on for different reasons. One of the main reasons is to develop a deeper spiritual awareness of one’s faith. By fasting, one draws closer to God by abandoning body pleasures (such as food and drink), or anything that may be a distraction in your spiritual journey. This makes the sincerity of your faith and devotion to God all the more evident.Fasting creates a God consciousness or God awareness. Fasting is believed to help promote chastity and humility and prevent sin, the outburst of uncontrolled lusts and desires and far-fetched hopes. – Joel 2:12-14

Fasting doesn’t make you more holy, but more sensitive to His Spirit, His Will, and His Purpose for your life. When you fast, you’re not trying to prove a point to God and others. You’re fasting because you desire to be closer to Him. – Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is more than abstaining from different types of food and drink. Fasting also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, abstaining from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing, fighting, and having lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps develop good behavior. You are also encouraged to temper negative emotions such as anger and addiction. – Ephesians 4:22-32

While fasting, believers strive to purify body and soul and increase their good deeds and God-consciousness. This purification of body and soul harmonizes the inner and outer spheres of an individual. People aim to improve their body by reducing food intake and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Overindulgence in food is discouraged and eating only enough to silence the pain of hunger is encouraged. Believers should be active, tending to all their commitments and never falling short of any duty. On a moral level, believers strive to attain the most virtuous characteristics and apply them to their daily situations. We try to show compassion, generosity and mercy to others, exercise patience, and control our anger. In essence, believers are trying to improve what they believe to be good moral character and habits. – Isaiah 58:6-12

Fasting also includes staying away from certain habits or rituals that may be a hindrance or distraction for one drawing closer to God. However, many still refrain from eating during the day. Moreover, fasting is a time of giving to charity and sharing meals with others that are suffering. – Isaiah 58:6-12

Daniel Fast Daily Scripture Reading - Monday, January 9th – Sunday, January 29th

Monday, January 9th

  • Genesis 23:1-24:51; Matthew 8:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 3:1-6

Tuesday, January 10th

  • Genesis 24:52-26:16; Matthew 8:18-34; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 3:7-8

Wednesday, January 11th

  • Genesis 26:17-27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10

Thursday, January 12th

  • Genesis 28:1-29:35; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs3:11-12

Friday, January 13th

  • Genesis 30:1-31:16; Matthew 10:1-23; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 3:13-15

Saturday, January 14th

  • Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:24-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18

Sunday, January 15th

  • Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 3:19-20

Monday, January 16th

  • Genesis 35:1-36:43; Matthew 12:1-21; Psalm 15:1-5; Proverbs 3:21-26

Tuesday, January 17th

  • Genesis 37:1-38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 3:27-32

Wednesday, January 18th

  • Genesis 39:1-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35

Thursday, January 19th

  • Genesis 41:17-42:17; Matthew 13:24-46; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6

Friday, January 20th

  • Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10

Saturday, January 21st

  • Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13

Sunday, January 22nd

  • Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

Monday, January 23rd

  • Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm 20: 1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27

Tuesday, January 24th

  • Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:12-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6

Wednesday, January 25th

  • Exodus 2:11-3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14

Thursday, January 26th

  • Exodus 4:1-5:21; Matthew 18:1-20; Psalm 22:19-31: Proverbs 5:15-21

Friday, January 27th

  • Exodus 5:22-7:25; Matthew 18:21-19:12; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 5:22-23

Saturday, January 28th

  • Exodus 8:1-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 6:1-5

Sunday, January 29th

  • Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20-1-28; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11

2017Daniel Fast - January 9th-29th, 2017

Books – “The Fasting Edge” – by Jentezen Franklin

“Fasting” – by Jentezen Franklin

“The Daniel Fast” – by Susan Gregory

“Fasting” – by John Eckhardt

A “Daniel fast” is based on Daniel 10:2-3, which says that the prophet Daniel spent three weeks

mourning and praying for the Jewish people. During this time, the Bible says Daniel “ate no tastyfood” and abstained from meat and wine. No detailed list of foods is offered, but we can assumethat he kept his diet very simple. During a Daniel fast, the diet consists mainly of fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that youshould consume plenty of water. As with all forms of fasting, you may experience headaches,fatigue or irritability because toxins that have been stored in your body will be released. Alwaysconsult a doctor before fasting if you have medical conditions such as diabetes or hypoglycemia,or if you are on medication.

Food Guidelines for a 21-Day Daniel Fast

Foods you may 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, 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, turnip greens,

watercress, yams, zucchini; veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

Liquids: Spring water, distilled water, 100 percent all-natural fruit juices, 100 percent all natural

vegetable juices.

Others: Seeds, nuts, sprouts.

Foods to Avoid: Meat, white rice, fried foods, caffeine, carbonated beverages, foods containing

preservatives or additives, refined sugar and sugar substitutes, white flour and all products usingflour, margarine, shortening, high-fat products.