Daniel Fast (Day 1)

Daniel 1:8-14 Contemporary English Version

8Daniel made up his mind to eat and drink only what God had approved for his people to eat. And he asked the king's chief official for permission not to eat the food and wine served in the royal palace. 9God had made the official friendly and kind to Daniel. 10But the man still told him, " The king has decided what you must eat and drink. And I am afraid he will kill me, if you eat something else and end up looking worse than the other young men."

11The king's official had put a guard in charge of Daniel and his three friends. So Daniel said to the guard, 12" For the next ten days, let us have only vegetables and water at mealtime. 13When the ten days are up, compare how we look with the other young men, and decide what to do with us." 14The guard agreed to do what Daniel had asked.

I, along with members of my church choir have decided that we will be participating in a Daniel Fast for 10 days. It has already begun today, and ends on the 10th of January. Similar to the text above , we have restricted our diets to the eating of vegetables, with the addition of fruits, whole grains, and Legumes. That means no meat, dairy, bread, fried foods, sugar (or sugar substitute) any products using white flour, etc.

The goal of this fast is to become closer to God by voluntarily denying the demands of my flesh. (something I have struggled with that) I will increase my prayer life during this time, and study the scriptures with a new intensity. I am desperately trying to start off this new year with the right mind set. I not only want my spiritual life to be enhanced but also my physical health. This is a spiritual renewal as well as a temple renovation. These 10 days are just the beginning to a more healthy life. Food has always been a problem for me, and I think it's time I make a change.

I've fasted before but never for such a long period of time. This will truly be a test of my will power, and my faithfulness to the things I have promised God. It has only been one day, and the hunger pangs are a little unbearable. Right now I could go downstairs and eat a whole loaf of bread. Anything! But I'm glad I made it through this first day without smacking my sister in her mouth for making nachos right in front of my face. But it was a test I passed, and God knows I would usually delay the fast until tomorrow and grab a plate. But the journey to maturity must continue.