Daniel Fast

I just finished a 3 week Daniel Fast.  What is that you ask?  Fasting is going for a period of time without food.  Fasting has been around for thousands of years and is typically a religious practice.  Fasting is basically denying yourself physical nourishment in order to satisfy spiritual hunger.

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4

A Daniel Fast is based off of scripture that says Daniel (you know the guy in the lions' den) was mourning in the wilderness for three full weeks and ate no pleasant food, no meat, no wine, no sugar, no dairy, no potato chips, no coffee, no Dr. Pepper, etc... 

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.  I ate no pleasant 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

This is my first experience of fasting (other than 24 hours) and it has been surprisingly wonderful.  I assumed I would pray, read my bible, serve, etc every time I was hungry.  I thought I would be starving for 3 weeks but that has not been the case.  The good thing about a Daniel fast is you can eat as much as you want so hunger hasn't been an issue.  However, there are times when I have been weak since I haven't been eating much protein.  It is in those times that I am reminded where my strength comes from.

My biggest struggle has been temptation.  There have been chocolate chip cookies, cups of coffee, Freddy's Frozen Custard, juicy hamburgers, and gigantic bowls of cereal seductively calling my name.  It is in those times I am reminded where I find true satisfaction.  

I don't have crazy explanations.  All I can say is this is the most I have felt God's presence in my life in a very long time.  My eyes have been reopened and I can see His work, His beauty, His grace, His love, in a way that I never have before.  I can sense a boldness that has been lacking and a strength that is not my own.

Do I think I feel this way because I changed my diet for 3 weeks?  No.  I believe it is due to a sacrificial pursuit of Jesus Christ.  Fasting does not make God love you more but it has made me love God more.  Fasting is not a magic formula for blessings to appear in your life but it has made me more aware of the many blessings I already have.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. - Matthew 5:6

Edible shoe made from fruits and vegetables.  :)

If you want to find out more about the Daniel fast check out http://www.daniel-fast.com/index.html.