CAN WE DO A DIFFERENT FAST THAN THE DANIEL'S FAST?

This is one of the questions that are more frequent in our church about the 21 day fasting challenge. Some people are new to fasting and may be doubtful about their ability to make it. Some others have medical conditions that will hinder them from a Daniel Fast. And also, some people have parties and important events where following the fast is not reasonable at best and disrespectful at worse. So what they can do?

First of all, remember that fasting is not about going on a diet. The purpose of fasting is to displace ourselves from the center of our world, and dedicate quality time and energy to seek God. Don't get stuck in the legalisms of what to eat or not to eat. The Daniel's Fast is only a suggestion of a pattern clearly established in the Scriptures. Maybe you can only fast meat during the 21 days. That's fine! Or maybe you will fast only coffee. That's good too! The point is to seek the Lord in a way that breaks our normal patterns and that takes us deeper in our dependence on Him.

This is very important to understand. Maybe you can go through the 21 days following the Daniel's Fast to the detail. But if you don't make efforts to spend quality time God during these 21 days, your fast will simply become a diet. On the other hand, maybe you are fasting only coffee, and you are making a conscious effort to spend time with God, doing daily devotions, praying, seeking God's will for your life, then your fasting will bring forth the spiritual results you are expecting. You will have a better sense of God's will for your life.

Finally, remember that we are doing this fast together, as a church family. Don't feel disqualified because you cannot do a Daniel's Fast. Try to join us in this challenge in a different way. Fasting one meal a day is another great suggestion. Many people use their lunch break at work to seek God rather than eating lunch. That's a great way to fast too!