Lesson 1: Getting Ready

A. INTRODUCTION

1. A fast is a discipline in the spiritual realm, like training in sports to gain (a) strength, (b) skill, and (3) victory.

2. Like prayer, a fast is relationship with God.

3. Old Testament requirement. “On the tenth day of the seventh month of each year, you must go without eating to show sorrow for your sins” (Lev. 16:29, CEV).

4. A Yom Kippur fast is one day, sundown to sundown, to spend meal time in prayer.

5. Can everyone fast? No. “When you fast” (Matt. 6:16), i.e., the diabetic, work conditions.

6. Fasting gives God the highest priority in every part of your life.

B. WHAT IS NOT A FAST?

Jerry Falwell called Thomas Road Baptist Church to fast for a million dollars, Spring 1972.

1. When we focus on what we give up.

2. When we are concerned with physical results.

3. When we do it to impress others. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matt. 6:16).

4. When we only make it through.

C. DIFFERENT KINDS OF FAST

1. The Normal or Juice Fast, going without solid food for a specific time.

2. The Absolute Fast, no liquid or solid food. Must not be used for more than three days.

3. The Partial or Daniel Fast, omit certain foods or eating only specific food (vegetables and excluding desserts, snacks and delicacies).

4. The Rotational Fast (Mayo Clinic). Begin with one day absolute fast to cleanse system, and eat from one food group each day for seven days.

5. The John Wesley Fast, bread (whole grain) and water for 10 days prior to spiritual challenge.

6. The Supernatural Fast. “Moses was with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water” (Ex. 34:28). If you’re tempted to do this for more than three days, “test the spirits” (I John 4:1).

D. THE DANIEL FAST (DAN. 1:3-21)

1. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to “Babylonianize” young Jewish men to be his managers. “Having capacity to serve in the kings palace” (Dan. 1:5, Jewish Bible).

2. Why Daniel refused to eat Babylonian food? “And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:5).

a. Offered to idols.

b. Not kosher.

c. Alcoholic.

3. What does “delicacies” (1:5) mean? Ice cream, cold drinks, donuts, etc.; eat for enjoyment and not for nourishment. The NIV “choice food;” the CEV “fancy food;” the CSB “rich food:” the Complete Jewish Bible, “only food that satisfies me.” And the Companion Bible, “Bread of desire.”

4. Where does a fast begin? “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portions of the king’s delicacies or with the wine” (1:8).

a. A passion to be separate or holy.

b. A commitment to pray and seek God.

c. Begins with a vow.

5. Daniel put self and God on the spot with a vow. “Test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink” (1:12).

a. Time vow. “Ten days” (1:12), “21 days” (10:3).

b. Discipline vow.

When you take control of your outer body by fasting,

you begin to take control of your inner person.

c. Spiritual vow. “Except by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21).

d. Healthy vow. “At the end of ten days, their features appeared better . . . than all the young men who ate the king’s . . . delicacies” (1:15).

e. Partial vow. This may include one or two meals a day, plus kinds of food.

f. Lifestyle vow. To remain healthy, make a long-range vow to discipline your appetite. Also, no alcohol.

g. Faith vow. Daniel’s statement of faith was communicated to all. “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move . . . and it will move” (Matt. 17:20).

6. Fasting check list.

I believe God answers my prayer . . . therefore I enter this Daniel Fast, asking God to answer the vow to which I commit myself. ___________________________________________

Sign

a. Therefore I will pray for _________________________________________.

b. What I will withhold ____________________________________________.

c. When will I begin? Date _____________ Time _______________________.

d. When will I end? Date ______________ Time _______________________.

e. When will I pray each day? _______________________________________.

f. Biblical prayer promise __________________________________________.

g. Resources needed _______________________________________________.

h. Prayer partner agreement (Matt. 12:19) ______________________________.

i. Steps after fast _________________________________________________.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: