The WILD 10-DAY DANIEL FAST

August 28, 2023

Shalom Shalom sisters,

A joyful start to a new week sisters, and a warm welcome to our WILD fasting week. I’m thrilled to acknowledge that this fast marks our official first 10-day Daniel fast as a community. It’s such a joy that we’re being fully immersed in the transformative journey of WILD 2.0. Are you brimming with excitement, eagerly anticipating this fasting experience? I certainly am. After church yesterday, I found myself reflecting upon my year’s journey, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this year has witnessed my greatest consistency in terms of spiritual discipline.

As a community, we’ve engaged in fasting nearly every month this year, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude for this invaluable avenue that aids in grounding us within the spiritual disciplines essential for our growth.

As previously mentioned, we (the collective WILD sisters) are embarking on a 10-day Daniel fast, spanning from September 1st, 2023, to September 10th, 2023. This is actuallyyyy the best way to start the month which doubles as the end of the 3rd quarter and of course triples as my birth month(hehehe, I sense the warm waves of your birthday wishes😁😁😂 and ofcourse shout out to all the September celebrants present in the house💃💃)

Now, you might be curious about my reason for reaching out in this article. I’d love for us to delve into some insights regarding the Daniel fast we are about to commence so that we have the same knowledge about the Daniel fast.

Therefore, if you’re wondering about the reasons behind fasting or seeking clarity about the Daniel fast—its nature,the permissible foods, and more—I trust that this article will provide clarity. And, I pray that the Holy Spirit blesses your understanding, offering insights beyond the mere words on this page.

Now, onto the heart of the matter:

The term “fast” or “fasting” finds its origins in the Greek word “Nesteia,” which signifies “abstinence,” often linked to the “Day of Atonement.”. Similarly, the Hebrew word “tsum” translates to “abstaining from food.” In essence, fasting entails a deliberate, conscious decision to abstain temporarily from things that bring us pleasure (such as food, social media, etc.) in order to attain profound spiritual growth. To me, fasting means subduing our physical desires to nourish our spirits.

Moreover, fasting is an act of humbling ourselves before God, fostering a closer connection and growth in our relationship with Him. This practice of fasting and prayer demonstrates our complete reliance on God and the power of His Spirit. It’s a spiritual discipline advocated in the Bible, with Jesus admonishing His followers (which includes us) to fast.

In Matthew 6:16-18 ICB, Jesus instructs:

“When you give up eating, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know that you are giving up eating, but your Father, whom you can not see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”

And also

“But this kind is cast out only through prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:21 TPT

Fasting takes various forms, such as fruit fasting, regular food fasting, liquid fasting, and the Daniel fast. The latter finds its roots in the biblical account of Daniel’s life. In the first and tenth chapters of the Book of Daniel, we encounter his request to abstain from the king’s luxurious meal, instead opting for vegetables and water.

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

Daniel 1:11‭-‬13 NIV

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.

Daniel 10:3 NIV

Daniel and his friends chose their hunger for God and sticking to their Jewish values over the pleasures of Babylon and were rewarded both physically and spiritually. At the end of the test period, we see that they looked physically better and wiser and earned the king’s favor.

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Daniel 1:15‭-‬17 NIV

Embarking on a fast yields profound benefits, both spiritually and physically. Allow me to elaborate on some of these gains: According to Dr. Myles Monroe,

“Fasting purifies our body and puts us under the protection of God.”

Some spiritual benefits of fasting are;

1) Fasting serves as a biblical method of humbling oneself in God’s presence.
2) It draws us closer to God, fostering an intimate connection.
3) Fasting heightens our receptivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice.
4) It enhances the potency of intercessory prayers.
5) Fasting provides guidance during decision-making.
6) Through fasting, we recognize and confront our vulnerabilities.

And these are some physical benefits of Daniel fast.
1) Fasting deepens our awareness of our bodies.
2) Weight loss often accompanies fasting.
3) Detoxification occurs as the body undergoes purification.
4) Fasting curbs addiction to sugars and processed foods.
5) Increased energy levels result from fasting.
6) Digestion tends to improve during fasting, and inflammation reduction is a notable physical outcome.

Remember also;

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.
3 John 1:2 TPT

Now, the question arises: Why do we fast?
📌Fasting signifies a biblical way to genuinely humble ourselves before God. King David attested, “I humbled myself with fasting.”

📌Additionally, fasting consecrates us to God, allowing us to deny ourselves certain pleasures during this period.

📌It also enables the Holy Spirit to reveal our true spiritual state, leading to brokenness, repentance, and transformation.

📌Fasting strengthens our confidence and faith in God, refreshing us mentally, spiritually, and physically.

📌Ultimately, fasting serves as an invitation for divine partnership with God, preparing us for His answers.

Sisters, this is the ideal moment to articulate your fasting purpose and define your focus beyond the collective WILD fast. Let’s remember that our fast is ultimately for God.

Shifting our focus to biblical examples of fasting, let’s explore how various figures in the Bible fasted and the outcomes of their fasting:
1) Moses fasted before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
2) The Israelites fasted prior to achieving miraculous victories (2 Chronicles 20:2-3).
3) Daniel fasted to receive divine guidance (Daniel 9:3, 21-22).
4) Nehemiah fasted before embarking on a significant construction project (Nehemiah 1:4).
5) Jesus fasted during His victory over temptation (Luke 4:2).
6) The early Christians fasted during times of decision-making (Acts 13:2).

With these examples in mind, I strongly encourage each one of you to participate in this fast. Yes, you are permitted to break your fast from 3pm and beyond, but ensure you start the day with a fasting breakfast.

Turning our attention to the WILD Daniel fast, you’re undoubtedly familiar with our WILD spirit—we’re a community of excellence. Our leaders have thoughtfully curated a plan that elucidates the specifics and requirements for this journey. Let’s collectively extend gratitude by leaving a chorus of “thank you” in the comments to appreciate our esteemed WILD leadership.

As previously emphasized, the WILD Daniel fast kicks off on September 1st, 2023, and concludes on September 10th, 2023. On September 10th, our final prayer session will be held at 4 p.m. WAT, the Zoom platform will be opened testimonies and reflections.

The Daniel fast is structured across three levels;

corporate,

subgroup, and

individual level. This designates specific days for corporate, subgroup, and individual prayers. The 10-day calendar is color-coded to delineate each day’s focus. You’ll find the calendar attached here, and additional information will be relayed at the subgroup level.

Staying true to WILD’s practices, our corporate prayer sessions commence at 12 a.m. (midnight) and span an hour. I implore each one of you to consult the calendar for the precise corporate prayer times; trust me, you won’t want to miss out on the corporate WILD fireeee🔥🔥🔥.

Furthermore, our fast will be powered through the YouVersion devotional app. I urge everyone to download the app prior to the fast’s commencement and follow the “Fast Like Daniel (10 Day)” devotional plan available on the YouVersion app. For your convenience, here’s the link to the devotional plan: YouVersion Devotional Plan.

Curious about what meals to include during the Daniel fast? No worries, sisters; we’ve got you covered. During this fast, we’re encouraged to focus on four types of foods, four fruits, and a garden salad.

Fruit options include: apples, oranges, watermelon, bananas, guava, pineapples, pawpaw, and pears. The vegetable salad can consist of carrots, cabbage, avocado, and spinach (without cream).

For permissible foods, we have:
📌 Whole grains: Only brown rice permitted , wheat.
📌 Beans: All types are allowed
📌 Nuts and seeds: all types are permitted, excluding those with added salt
📌 Vegetables: All types are permissible
📌Oils (such as vegetable, coconut, olive oil etc): allowed in minimal quantities. Palm oil is also allowed.
📌 Beverages: Water and freshly made fruit juice made by you(no addons).
📌Nigerian soups: permitted with minimal ingredients, no meat, crayfish, or stockfish additions—focus on plain vegetables and okra

Garden Salad: A garden salad is a type of salad that typically includes a variety of fresh, raw vegetables and sometimes fruits. The ingredients are mainly made with lettuce and can vary based on your personal preferences. Please see some common ingredients that can be included in the Garden salad: Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Avocado. The salad is dressed with simple oil and vinegar(Apple Cider Vinegar)

And here’s what you should avoid in the Daniel fast:

📌Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: animal products are not allowed
📌Dairy products: steer clear of milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream
📌Added sugar and artificial sweeteners: eliminate table sugar, agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, and similar items
📌Yeast: avoid yeast and leavened bread products, No white bread also.
📌Refined grains: steer clear of white flour and white rice
📌Processed foods: eliminate heavily processed items with added colors, flavors, or preservatives, including chips, candy, premade meals, and more
📌Solid fats: butter, ghee, lard, margarine, and shortening are to be avoided
📌Beverages: refrain from coffee, tea, soda, and sugar-sweetened drinks.

Sisters, remember that we’re adhering to just four meal options. This is the perfect opportunity to decide which four meals and four fruits resonate with you, as these selections won’t change during the 10 days of the Daniel fast. Furthermore, let’s ensure our meals are light, focusing on nourishing our spirits rather than our flesh.

See the WILD Daniel fast calendar below and the link to access the document

Access the WILD Daniel fast Calendar here.

So, what are the recommended activities during this 10-day Daniel fast?

1) Prayer: Dedicate time to prayer, and then pray some more. This is an ongoing practice.
2) Bible Study: Engage deeply with the Word of God, studying its passages.
3) YouVersion Devotional Plan: Participate in the “Fast Like Daniel (10 Day)” devotional plan on the YouVersion app.
4) Utilize Resources: Leverage the shared resources—worship songs, messages, articles—to enrich your experience.
5) Christian Reading: Delve into a Christian book that sustains your connection with God.
6) Journaling: Make use of the provided journaling instructions to document your journey.
7) Intercession: Cultivate intercessory prayers, lifting others up to God.
8) Spiritual Sensitivity: Stay attuned to the Holy Spirit’s leading, enhancing your discernment.
9)Rest/Sleep: Recognize the importance of rest, allowing your spirit and body to rejuvenate.

Now, what should you avoid during the Daniel fast?
1) Aimless Browsing: Limit your time on social media, refraining from aimless scrolling.
2) Entertainment Overload: Cut back on television, shows, YouTube videos, and comedy.
3) News Consumption: Steer clear of excessive news consumption; avoid being overwhelmed.
4) Idle Chatter: Minimize idle conversations that add little value.

Remember, sisters, we must safeguard all channels to our spirits, hearts, and minds—our eyes and ears. As Colossians 3:2 advises: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

In closing, let’s remain steadfast in our focus—seeking Jesus. To accomplish this, our posture of prayer is vital. Let’s ensure our spirits, hearts, minds, and thoughts align with the daily prayer focus and devotional plan.

Finally, a thought about the meat and wine mentioned in the Book of Daniel: these weren’t inherently negative. In fact, they represented the finest meal, and the king’s intent was to ensure the individuals looked their best and could serve him effectively after three years.

However, what the meat and wine symbolized could lead Daniel and his friends astray. In our contemporary society, can you identify what might parallel the king’s meat and wine? Could it be culture, speech patterns, dressing styles, lifestyles, or social media? The crucial question remains: Are you standing for God, much like Daniel did, or are you following societal trends?

As we embark on the Daniel fast, let’s identify our own “king’s meat and wine”—potential hindrances in our relationship with and obedience to God. By His grace, let’s put these hindrances aside.

May God’s grace and peace envelop each one of you,

Shalom Shalom sisters.