Daniel Fast & Daniel Plan Guidelines
OUR PURPOSE
These 21 days are first and foremost about seeking Jesus.
Daniel said:
“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting…”
Daniel 9:3
Fasting is not about earning God’s favor, proving our spirituality, or seeing who can follow the strictest plan. We are intentionally setting aside some of our normal appetites and distractions so we can give greater attention to prayer, Scripture, worship, and the presence of God.
Whatever plan you follow, remember:
Don’t just fast from something—seek Someone.
OPTION 1 — THE DANIEL FAST
The Daniel Fast is based primarily on Daniel’s periods of dietary restriction in Daniel 1 and Daniel 10.
Daniel 10:3 says:
“I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth…”
For our 21 days, those choosing the Daniel Fast should focus primarily on simple, plant-based, minimally processed foods.
FOODS TO INCLUDE
Generally choose:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Beans and legumes
- Whole grains such as brown rice, oats, barley, and quinoa
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Nuts and seeds
- Natural nut and seed butters without added sugar
- Herbs and spices
- Water as the primary beverage
The emphasis should be on simple foods rather than indulgence.
FOODS TO SET ASIDE
During the Daniel Fast, generally avoid:
- Meat and poultry
- Fish and seafood
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Candy and desserts
- Added/refined sugars
- Sweetened beverages
- Highly processed foods
- Fried or indulgent foods
- Alcohol
The purpose isn’t to discover increasingly creative ways to make “Daniel-approved” desserts and comfort foods. Simplicity is part of the discipline.
OPTION 2 — THE DANIEL PLAN
Not everyone can or should follow the same dietary restrictions.
Some may have medical conditions, demanding work schedules, pregnancy or nursing considerations, medication requirements, athletic needs, age-related nutritional needs, or other circumstances that make a traditional Daniel Fast inappropriate.
The Daniel Plan allows you to prayerfully identify specific foods, appetites, habits, or comforts that you will surrender during these 21 days while maintaining the nutrition your body requires.
You might choose to eliminate or significantly reduce:
- Sugar and sweets
- Desserts
- Soda or sweetened drinks
- Fast food
- Highly processed foods
- Snacking between meals
- Red meat or other selected foods
- Caffeine, if appropriate for you
- Restaurant meals or other indulgences
The question isn’t:
“How little can I eat?”
The better question is:
“What can I intentionally surrender so that every time I desire it, I am reminded to turn my attention toward Jesus?”
DON’T FORGET THE OTHER KIND OF FAST
Food may not be the loudest appetite in your life.
For some of us, giving up a steak would be easier than putting down our phone.
Consider reducing or eliminating unnecessary:
- Social media
- Streaming and entertainment
- Gaming
- Recreational screen time
- News consumption
- Online shopping
- Other habits that regularly consume your attention
Use some of the time you reclaim for prayer, Bible reading, worship, family devotion, and serving others.
REPLACE—DON’T JUST REMOVE
Every sacrifice should create room for something greater.
If you skip something you normally eat, pray.
If you don’t spend the evening watching television, open your Bible.
If you remove social media from your phone, use some of that time to worship or pray.
If hunger reminds you that you’re fasting, let the hunger become a reminder:
“Jesus, I hunger for You more.”
Our goal is not merely abstinence.
Our goal is attention.
GRACE, NOT COMPETITION
Your fast may look different from someone else’s.
That’s okay.
Please don’t compare your fast, criticize another person’s choices, or feel the need to explain everything you are or are not eating.
Jesus taught that fasting should ultimately direct attention toward God rather than ourselves.
If you accidentally eat something outside your plan, don’t quit.
If you have a difficult day, don’t condemn yourself.
If you realize several days into the fast that your plan needs adjustment, prayerfully adjust it.
Just open the window again and continue seeking God.
CHILDREN & TEENS
Parents should determine what is appropriate for their children.
We do not encourage children or teenagers to unnecessarily restrict the nutrition their growing bodies need.
Instead, families might consider age-appropriate sacrifices such as reducing:
- Candy and desserts
- Soda
- Fast food
- Video games
- Social media
- Recreational screen time
- Other favorite treats or activities
Most importantly, use the 21 days as an opportunity for family prayer and devotion.
HEALTH & MEDICATIONS
Please do not jeopardize your health in order to fast.
If you have diabetes, take medications that need to be taken with food, are pregnant or nursing, have a history of disordered eating, have significant dietary restrictions, or have another health condition affected by fasting, follow the guidance of your healthcare professional.
You can participate meaningfully without following the traditional Daniel Fast.
God is interested in your surrendered heart—not in harming your body.
Choose a Daniel Plan or another form of consecration that is safe and meaningful for you.
OUR DAILY RHYTHM
During these 21 days, let’s intentionally make room each day for:
PRAY — Spend intentional time talking with God.
READ — Spend time in Scripture and the daily devotional.
LISTEN — Slow down enough to ask, “Lord, what are You saying to me?”
WORSHIP — Give God thanks and praise.
SEEK — Pray for your family, our church, our community, and people who need Jesus.
RESPOND — When God speaks or brings someone to your attention, act on it.
THE GOAL OF THESE 21 DAYS
We don’t want to reach the end simply saying:
“I completed a fast.”
We want to be able to say:
“I encountered God.”
We are making room for Him.
We are asking Him to speak.
We are seeking direction.
We are praying for our families.
We are praying for our church.
We are praying for our community.
We are praying for people who need Jesus.
And we are asking God to change things around us while allowing Him to change things within us.
KEEP THE WINDOW OPEN.
Pray. Fast. Seek His face. Listen. Expect God to work.
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