The Daniel Fast: No meats, no sweets, no treats? Oh my! Continuing our Fasting Together in January Series. You can read the previous posts here and here. Praying that you are fasting unto the Lord, or if you have not begun your fast yet that you are bookmarking these posts for later! Today we will talk a little more about the particulars of The Daniel Fast and I will be sharing my favorite recipe, Daniel Fast Granola!

Daniel was born in the kingdom of Judah in a noble household. King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, taking 650,000 of Daniel’s countrymen into bondage, back to his Babylonian kingdom. King Nebuchadnezzar decreed that all of the young and handsome princes from Judah go into a training program to work in the king’s court. Daniel was among the chosen.

While in training, they were to be fed the very best. Rich meats, sweets and plenty of wine. But Daniel and his friends from Judah all strictly followed the Law of Moses and did not eat many of the foods presented to them. To make matters even worse, this food was usually part of a sacrifice to idols that the Babylonians served. Ugh. Daniel would have been mortified to consume food used as a sacrifice. He didn’t worship a god of stone, wood or any other material. He served the One, True God, Jehovah!

To solve this problem, Daniel asked if he and his men could abstain from the rich and pleasant food for only ten days to prove that their way of eating, only vegetables and water, was much healthier for their bodies. They agreed and at the end of the ten days? “At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.” Daniel 1:15, 16 ESV.

Immediately it could be seen how much better this way of eating was for the body. Today, we notice it as well. With all of the preservatives in our foods, MSG, dyes and other unhealthy additives, we are making ourselves sick every single day.

Daniel wasn’t just fasting for the right way to eat. He knew his life was about to change and denying himself earthly pleasures set him on a course with the Almighty to be by his side.

Remember, you will miss out on so much if you are just cutting out meats, sweets, breads and your favorite fancy coffee but never take time to pray!

“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”  Daniel 6:10 ESV.

Daniel is recorded to have prayed at least three times every day, usually at the same time. It is so beneficial if you can start your day with the Lord, spend some time in His Word and get strengthened for the day ahead; you are going to need it.

If you have specific things you are fasting about, whether it is your job, finances, your marriage, children, extended family, direction, healing, restoration, whatever the need, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

If you have offended someone, or if there is sin that needs forgiveness, repent. Take care of that at the beginning of the fast.

“If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 KJV.

You will also receive strength to resist and to be able to turn from sinful habits. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV.

Hopefully it goes without mentioning, (and in this case we aren’t going totally without food), but let’s go over it just for the record. We do not want to “appear to men to fast.” Let us see what Jesus said about it:

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:16-18 KJV.

We can understand clearly here Jesus was saying to not walk around with your head down, pouting that you have to fast. The Word says, “they have their reward”, meaning that is all they have, recognition. They gloried in the appearance of fasting!

This should be something between you and God, unless of course your entire church congregation is doing it, then of course, that is a corporate fast and it is not a secret. It is a time to come together in unity of purpose.

The Lord will bless the sincere heart that seeks Him! So do it with all that is within you, every day as a sacrifice unto your God, denying yourself pleasures that you would normally enjoy.

[Tweet “Do not try to make your new foods taste like your normal diet; this is a sacrifice! #danielfast”]

Remember, we are denying ourselves things that we enjoy, so we only eat until we are satisfied. We are not stuffing ourselves until we are sick.

One of my favorite things to make on the Daniel Fast is homemade granola. It is so good and healthy for you that I even make it when I am not on the fast. It is easy to do and makes a good large batch that can be put in an airtight container and eaten as it is or as a cereal in the mornings with some plain almond milk. (not vanilla or flavored almond milk that would contain sugar).

Be blessed as you continue on your fast. Comments and suggestions are so welcome; encourage one another!

Daniel Fast Granola

3 cups oats

3/4 cup coconut

1/2 cup coconut oil or favorite oil

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Your favorite nuts and dried fruits

This recipe normally calls for up to ½ cup of raw honey or agave but the Daniel Fast restricts honey calling it a precious food that Daniel would not have eaten while on his fast. Some still consume it, calling it a natural food. Others do not. I leave that up to the individual.

Mix the oats, coconut, and spices together. Grease a 9×13 pan and add the dry ingredients. Mix the oil and vanilla (and honey if you use it) and incorporate into the granola, stirring until well mixed. Smooth out and bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so it doesn’t burn on top. Let cool, then break up and store in an airtight container. Delicious alone or with unflavored almond or soy milk.

Add the fruit and nuts after the granola comes out of the oven. Some suggestions are cashews, sunflower kernels, raisins, cranberries and dates. This is a base recipe that you can adjust to your taste.

My book, The Daniel Fast Devotional, has recipes after every devotion. Have you got yours yet? It’s available in kindle and paperback on Amazon here! I also gladly offer discounts to churches or groups with multiple purchases! Be sure if you have any questions to either submit them in the comment box or email me at ynannette@gmail.com!