Day Five: Prepping to Pray (Copy)
DAY FIVE WARFARE WEAPON
How are you today? Are you nurturing your faith through increased time in the Word of God? I pray so. Feasting on the promises of God, the Word of God, fuels our expectation. Our time in the Word reveals what we can expect from God. When we pray, we are making our requests unto the Lord based on what He says He will do. Remember according to Numbers 23:19 NLT, God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Today, we want to add to our faith FASTING.
Why Fast?
Daniel’s reasons for fasting were spiritual. He fasted once to stay pure before Lord and twice to seek the Lord’s wisdom, direction and answers to prayer. Daniel didn’t fast to loose weight or for medical reasons. His fast was intended to provoke a response from God.
Fasting is a time of setting ourselves aside for and centering our lives around God. It’s more than eating differently and expecting supernatural results. During our time of being set aside, fasting helps us focus more on God and His Word. As His truth takes root in out heart, we experience the supernatural power of the Most High God. It’s a spiritual commitment to God. But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Daniel 1:8 NLT
Fast Details
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast which includes denying self and seeking God.
Our model for this fast is the Prophet Daniel during his tenure of serving under the Babylonian kings. In particular, Daniel 10:2-3 lays out the model for the 21 Day Daniel Fast. This fast is not limited to any specific amount of food, but limits the type of food eaten to vegatables, fruits and water.
Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast
Fruits
Fruits can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. These include, but not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mango, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon.
All Vegatables
Vegatables can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. These include, but not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, brocoli, brussel sprours, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, 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.
All Grains
These include, but are not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
All Nuts and Seeds
These include, but are not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. This also includes nut butters including peanut butter.
All Legumes
These can be canned or dried. These include, but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All Quality Oils
These include, but are not limited to olive oil, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages
These include, but are not limited to spring water, distilled water or other pure water.
Other
Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.
Foods to Avoid
All Meat and Animal Products
These include, but are not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All Dairy Products
These include, but are not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
All Sweetners
These include, but are not limited to sugar, raw sugar, substitute sugar, honey, syrups, molasses and cane sugar.
All Leavened Bread
These include, but are not limited to Ezekiel Bread (if it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All Refined and Processed Food Products
These include, but are not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, chemicals, white rice, white flour and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All Deep Fried Foods
These include, but are not limited to potato chips, french fries and corn chips.
All Solid Fats
These include, but are not limited to shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages
These include, but are not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks and alcohol.
Our time of fasting is centered around a desire for a deeper, closer, more intimate relationship with the Father. Just as the Father responded to Daniel, I believe He desires to respond to us. Now I am not saying that every problem will be resolved during our Intimate Evenng of Prayer, but our faith will be renewed, our focus will be stronger, and we will be strengthened to endure until the promises of God come to pass. Join me for Warfare Weapon Five below.
WARFARE WEAPON
CHANGES PERCEPTION, ACTION, AND RESULTS
MEDITATION
Daniel 10:2-3 NLT
2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.
MEMORIZATION
Daniel 10:2-3 NLT
2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.
DECLARATION
I’M GIVING UP MY NORMAL ACTIVITY BECAUSE I WANT TO HEAR THE FATHER CLEARLY.
APPLICATION
Take time now to prepare for our fast.
Come on, let’s continue Prepping to Pray!
Coach Tam
DAY FIVE ACTION ITEM:
In the comments section below, share your responses to the following questions:
What is fasting?
Why are you fasting?
What do you need to do to prepare for our fast?