Fasting has always been a powerful spiritual discipline, and the Daniel Fast has long been a popular form of fasting. But what is the Daniel Fast?
When the prophet Daniel was taken captive into Babylon, the king saw in him a promising leader and administrator. If only the young man could be Babylon-ized, perhaps he would help the king rule over the exiled Jews. The kings first step toward Daniels corruption was to provide a sumptuous menu to tempt him, full of fattening comfort foods and rich wines. The prophets response was to eat only vegetables and drink only water. He chose to honor God over the king.
The prophet Daniel is a model for anyone who longs to honor God and experience the spiritual breakthrough that begins with prayer and self-disciple. In this new guide to fasting, Dr. Elmer Towns, author of Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, coaches you through a 10-day or 21-day period of renewal. He answers practical questions, such as what to eat and when, and addresses deeper issues as well how to pray effectively, how to encounter God during your fast, how to worship through self-discipline, how to pray for specific answers, and, at the same time, how to fast with a healthy diet. Youll also find original Daniel Fast recipes created by executive chef John P. Perkins. Choose spiritual nourishment over bodily satisfaction, as Daniel did, and invite God to change your life!
Table of Contents
Foreword by Larry Stockstill
Invitation
Section 1: About the Daniel Fast
Chapter 1: What is Fasting?
Chapter 2: What is a Daniel Fast?
Chapter 3: Why Choose to Fast?
Chapter 4: Why Vow?
Chapter 5: What Can I Withhold?
Chapter 6: What is the Primary Focus of the Daniel Fast?
Chapter 7: How Can I Prepare for My Fast?
Section 2: Daily Readings
Day 1: Your Private Prayer in a Daniel Fast
Day 2: Joining Others in a Daniel Fast
Day 3: Daily Commitment During Your Fast
Day 4: Praying and Fasting for a Project
Day 5: The Benefits of a Lengthy Fast
Day 6: Saying No in Prayer
Day 7: The Persistence of a Daniel Fast
Day 8: Intimacy with God
Day 9: Giving Thanks in Prayer
Day 10: Fasting to Hunger After God
Day 11: Prayer is Asking
Day 12: Fasting to Worship God
Day 13: Fasting to Locate Sin
Day 14: Dont Violate Your Fast
Day 15: The Prayer of Crucifixion
Day 16: Weeping While Praying
Day 17: Introspective Prayer
Day 18: Resting in Prayer
Day 19: Urgent Prayer
Day 20: Spiritual Warfare Prayer
Day 21: Stay in the Moment
Section 3: Appendices
Appendix A: Nine Kinds of Fasts Found in Scripture
Appendix B: Six Ways to FastAppendix C: Recipes to Use During a Daniel Fast
Endorsements
This book is meant for this moment! The Holy Spirit is calling each believer to lay hold of the power of fasting with prayer! Daniels prayer and fasting literally affected a shaping of history at a desperate time in the ancient world. Today, we are at a profound, prophetic intersection in time one calling us to lay hold of the practical guidelines unfolded in this book. The Daniel Fast for Spiritual Breakthrough shows how Gods people can see the same results in our generation but on Jesus terms: This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).
Dr. Jack W. Hayford, Chancellor, The Kings College and Seminary; Founding Pastor, The Church on the Way
About the Author
Elmer Towns is vice president and dean of the School of Religion at Liberty University, which he cofounded in 1971. He teaches the 2,000 member pastors Sunday School class at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Towns is a Gold Medallion Award-winning author, and his books include Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, How to Pray When You Dont Know What to Say, and Whats Right with the Church. Elmer and his wife, Ruth, have three grown children.