Have you heard of the Daniel Fast? This is a 21-day, plant-based partial fast, which eliminates all meat and animal products, sweets, and no wine -- just water and fruit or veg juice (water from plants). Based on Daniel 10.
Daniel took this fast not just to keep his body cleansed (in which he took great care throughout his life), but also to focus on the really important work of God that he was doing. His devotion to keeping himself pure helped prepare him to receive God's word to prophesy.
This is what true fasting is about -- the spiritual work going on. Without the distractions of food, feeding our wordly selves, we are free to concentrate on our spiritual selves. And, some folks like to use the discomfort of fasting as a form of atonement, as much as our pitiful sacrifice could make a difference.
Over at The Daniel Fast, this statement sums it up: "Biblical fasting was always about restricting food and always for the purpose of drawing closer to the Lord, observing spiritual laws, or seeking God in prayer."
I was reminded of this fast, which I've known about for years, actually, when I visited Jamie at Like A Bubbling Brook. If you'd like to see this fast put to work, follow her through it.
Have you done the Daniel Fast? How did it impact your life?
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