Fellowship Church

Fasting Details

A Note from Ed & Lisa

Fast Details

A Note from Ed & Lisa

Congratulations on your willingness and commitment to join Fellowship Church for this 21 day fast!

Ed & Lisa

Whenever a fast is recorded in Scripture, it is followed by a season of growth and blessing. And as you will discover over the next few weeks, your commitment to fast will usher in some of the greatest opportunities to take hold of the blessings of God. That is what we are most excited about. And we look forward with anticipation to all of the great things God is going to do in the life of our church and in your life as well. So as we join together as a church family, let's take the next 21 days to prepare ourselves for what God has prepared for all of us in 2011!

Foods to Eat

Grains
Grains
Brown Rice, Oats, Barley 		Legumes
Legumes
Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
Fruits
Fruits
Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Oranges, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon 		Vegetables
Vegetables
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, 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,

Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
Liquids
Liquids
Water (as much as possible), Unsweetened Soy Milk, Herbal Tea, Whole-Bean Coffee (no sugar or cream), Natural Fruit Juice (no added sugar) 		Oil
Other
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (small quantities), Honey
Important reminder: Be sure to drink as much water as possible throughout the fast. In fact, our goal is to drink a gallon of water a day!

Foods to Avoid

• Meat, Poultry, Fish
• White Rice
• Fried Foods
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
• Refined Sugar or Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
• All Breads
• Dairy (milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.)

Menu

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Fasting Guidelines

PDF
Download the Fasting Guidelines PDF.

FAST FOCUS

Fasting is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. It’s all about aligning ourselves with God and what He really wants to do. As a church, we are fasting together in order to deepen our relationship with God as well as get in step with His plan and purpose for us during this coming year.

Over the next 21 days, we will substitute our regular food intake with those disciplines that help us better connect with God—reading the Bible, praying and journaling. The overall goal is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God.

Remember, the idea is to be realistic, not legalistic. Focus more on the details of connecting with God than the details of the menu, and you will discover the blessings of fasting.

FAST FRAMEWORK

Sunday, January 9 • 24-hour Liquid Fast
Drink water, natural fruit juice and herbal caffeine-free tea (lunch will be our last meal and we will resume meals at dinner on Monday).

Monday, January 10 • Begin the “Daniel Fast”
At dinner, begin to introduce meals with pure foods of fruits and vegetables. This plan will continue for the next 20 days.

The Weekend of January 29 & 30 • Break the Fast
We will come together as a church and end the fast at Fellowship Church.

FAST FOODS

The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, which means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have generous options available. We will focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple. We have included a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.

If you have any condition which would prohibit you from being a part of the Daniel Fast, there are other options. Choose something from your daily routine (i.e. specific foods or beverages, television, other technology, etc.) and fast in that manner for the next 21 days. Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit in which you participate.

*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.

FAST FORWARD

Over the next 21 days you will undoubtedly discover some amazing benefits of fasting. As God blesses your life, we encourage you to write down your prayers and experiences. Praise God for the renewed relationship you have with Him and for the works He is doing in your life. And prepare to experience the power of a refreshed perspective for the things He has in store for your life in 2011!

Do you have questions about the fast?

What is the purpose of the fast?

We are choosing to fast together like Daniel did. He made a decision not to eat the king's food as an outward symbol of an inward commitment he had made to God. Let your choices over the next three weeks reflect the hunger you have for God's presence in your life.

Why should I participate in the fast?

God is certain to bless your life in new and exciting ways during the fast. We encourage you to write down your prayers and the many ways God reveals Himself to you. We can't wait to see what God is going to do in your life and in the life of our church!

How strict should I be with what I eat on the fast?

The list of foods we've provided is merely a first step to get you thinking about making better food choices. Remember, this fast is about growing your relationship with God. And He's not as concerned about what is in your stomach as He is about what is in your heart.

Can I eat foods that are not specifically listed?

If you are not sure about a certain food, ask God to reveal to you whether it should be part of your diet over the next few weeks. Since there is no definitive list of foods for the Daniel Diet, it is truly the spirit of Daniel's decision that we are imitating over the next 20 days.

What about children?

We have eliminated sugar, bread and most dairy from our children's diet. They are having whole wheat pasta and soy milk. Mostly, they eat what we eat, but we have included chicken for them in some meals. We have found that they have been more open to new foods when we fast together. It has been exciting to see them help plan meals and enjoy more fruits and vegetables, some of which they have never tried before.

What if I have concerns about participating because of my health?

If you have any condition that would prohibit you from being a part of the Daniel Fast, you can participate in a different way. Choose something from your daily routine (i.e. specific foods or beverages, television, other technology, etc.) and fast in that manner for the next 21 days. Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit in which you participate.