What is a 'Daniel fast'?
Daniel 8:1 - 14
ESV - 1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. 2 And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the capital, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
L.S. James
Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and THREE YEARS OF TRAINING for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
It need be noted that when Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had fasted from the king’s delicacies, and the wine for ten days and thereafter having proven themselves well, they went on that diet for the remaining three years of training. That's highly commendable for a 3-year fast (or abstinence) that honors their Judaic faith amidst all that palatial opulence!
18 Now AT THE END OF THEIR DAYS, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king INTERVIEWED them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; THEREFORE they SERVED before the king.
Robert Pittman
No meats, bread or sweets! You can eat Veggies, whole wheat pastas, beans of any kind, vegatable salads, unsweetened tea and ice water! You are cleansing you body and feeding your spirit. Read your word when you crave thing not on this list! Feed your spirit and see how much better you feel! The prior answer summed up what a Daniel fast was, but my answer is what you can eat.
jim baumgardner
I always understood the Daniel fast to come more from Daniel 10:1-2...In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.
"At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over".
jim b.
Singapore Moses
Lets see what Daniel fast is and how that is unique.
"Daniel Fast" narrates a specifc/definite answer for our prayers(Dan. 2:18; 6:10; 8:15,27; 10:2-3).
I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes - (Dan. 9:2-3)
It was because Daniel prayed according to the Book that his prayers were heard instantly. His prayer so pleased God that He released Michael the archangel to overcome all obstacles and get the answer to Daniel fast (Dan 9:2,3; 10:10-14).
This was the usual procedure of Daniel when he wanted a definite answer (Dan. 2:18; 6:10; 8:15,27; 10:2-3).
Gabriel said unto Daniel, "Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words"
Here is an example of prayer being delayed (Dan. 10:12-13).
Such delays should never hinder faith or cause one to give up seeking an answer that is promised by God. They should only urge one to renew his efforts and to hold on in prayer and faith until the answer is realized (Lk. 18:1-8). b [for thy words] I have come to answer the prayer that you have prayed. This shows exactly what Daniel prayed for and demonstrates that the very words said in prayer are heard and can be answered (Mt. 7:7-11). Too many times religious teachers today argue that what we ask may not be granted, but that God will give to us what we need and what is best for us. In other words, God will substitute something in the place of whatever we have asked for. There is not a word in Scripture which teaches such a doctrine. God has promised to give all men what they ask for in prayer, believing--even the exact things that they say in words (Mt. 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:21-22 Mk. 11:22-24 Jn. 15:7).