Lessons from a 40 Day Daniel Fast

I just completed a 40 day Daniel Fast. Unlike conventional fasts where you don’t eat any food, the Daniel fast calls for a greatly restricted diet and only small amounts of what you actually do eat. I began on April 1 and didn’t eat any meat, chicken, dairy, sweets and sugar, and I didn’t drink any caffeine or alcohol. I basically only ate and drank small amounts of 100% natural foods.

It may sound tough, but I have to confess it was actually amazing and quite enjoyable. In fact, at day 21 (the usual length of a Daniel Fast) I decided to stretch it to 40 days.

I felt led to the fast by the Holy Spirit in March. I’ve been praying for God to use my book Enough that will be released in a few weeks. I’m quite passionate about its message and want it to be read all over the world. I felt God’s Spirit tell me to fast for the book’s release.

Here’s some of what I gained/learned:

I had loads of more energy and my thinking was much clearer and sharper
I was able to work with much more focus and for longer periods of time without growing fatigued
The timing of the fast was critical (God obviously knew), as we have been walking through significant changes and even tests at our church
I was able to exercise as hard as I wanted–picture me riding the hills around our church with a giant branch of broccoli sticking out of my jersey pocket
God anointed my teaching and speaking in powerful ways
God increased my ability to recognize and resist Satan’s oppression and attacks
God brought several interesting opportunities to me for promoting the book that were not on the radar 6 weeks ago.
And mostly importantly, I feel much closer to Jesus

In other words, God greatly honored the fast. I feel certain that I will seek the Lord’s permission to do it again in the near future.

I encourage every person seeking to know and hear God better to try fasting (pray about and decide what God would have you fast from) as part of your spiritual disciplines. He will greatly honor your efforts.