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Celebrate National Taco Day

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National Taco Day
Tacos have been extremely popular in the US for years, but lately they’ve risen to an even greater status. Tacos are trendy. You can find taco paraphernalia just about anywhere – T-shirts, funny memes, and even taco-related blog posts (like this one).

Since October 4 is National Taco Day, let’s celebrate this fantastic food! 

But you may be wondering, Are tacos allowed on the Daniel Fast? Of course, they are! Even though you’ll need to make a few adjustments according the Daniel Fast Food List, you can most definitely enjoy your favorite Mexican dishes.

Following are some of the food you CAN use to build your taco:

  • Brown rice
  • Black beans
  • Pinto beans
  • Avocado or guacamole
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lettuce
  • Mango
  • Olives
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Roasted corn kernels
  • Salsa (check ingredients for non-Daniel Fast friendly ingredients, such as sugar or vinegar)

And here are foods that are restricted on the Daniel Fast (which means they’re off limits):

  • Meat
  • Cheese
  • Sour cream

What about taco shells, tortillas, or tortilla chips, you ask?

You should avoid all fried foods on the Daniel Fast. However, you can use baked items, such as baked tortilla chips. Also, you are free to use corn tortillas or whole-grain tortillas.

Make October 4th all about the taco. Observe the holiday by trying one, two, or more of these Daniel Fast recipes. Happy National Taco Day!

Black Bean Chili BakeGreen Salsa Bean DipSuper Easy GuacamoleMexican Rice and Beans"Refried" BeansPeach SalsaSalsaTaco BurgersTaco Salad

Taco SeasoningTaco Soup

 

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Daniel Fast Testimony: God Healed My Migraines

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Daniel Fast Testimony

It was Sunday, August 19, 2018, and I was sitting in a volunteer meeting at church. We had just completed a 21-day corporate fast. Tom, one of our staff members, was recounting some of the many blessings that had come from our time of fasting and prayer. He then shared a personal testimony of how the Lord had healed him of migraine headaches a few years ago in a similar church-wide fast.

As I sat and listened to Tom, I was amazed at how God had worked supernaturally in his life. After church, I emailed Tom to ask permission to publish his story. He replied, “You certainly have my permission to use it. It was a special blessing for me to write it again, to rehearse some of the events, and to reflect on all that God did and continues to do.” I was thankful because Tom’s story reminds us that no problem is too big for God. Whatever it is you’re seeking from God during your fast, you’ll be encouraged by this testimony of God’s faithfulness.

“When our church began a Daniel Fast, I thought it would be impossible for me to participate due to my ongoing migraine headaches. At that time, I was having a migraine five days out of a week and had been having them for six months. EKGs hadn’t revealed anything abnormal. The prescription medicine I was taking didn’t help. Even the CPAP machine I’d been using was ineffective. I was so desperate for relief that I spent one night in a headache clinic to determine the cause of my migraines. That was an enormous task because everything seemed to be a trigger for me – not eating enough or eating at the wrong time of day, getting too little sleep or too much sleep, getting up out of a chair or bed too quickly, and laughing out loud too hard.

It didn’t matter what I did or didn’t do. Nothing seemed to alleviate the pain. I continued to pray and went forward at church for prayer, but my situation wasn’t improving at all. I’d resigned myself to the fact that I’d have to suffer with migraine headaches for the rest of my life.

When I began the Daniel Fast, I honestly didn’t think I’d last more than a day or two. I figured I’d have to abandon the fast due to the disruption in my eating, no caffeine, etc. I limped through day 1 but held steady.

On day 2, the migraine pain was actually a little less, which was a shock in itself.  No caffeine, no medication, and Daniel Fast food. No way!

By day 3, it was obvious something was happening. By the end of the first week, I stopped using the CPAP machine. It was the strangest thing to have time pass without excruciating throbbing in my head. 

By the beginning of the second week of the fast, I knew God had miraculously healed me.

That Daniel Fast was more than four years ago, and I haven’t had a migraine since – not even a headache. I continue to live free of migraines. Praise the Lord!”

{For more information on the Daniel Fast, visit “What is the Daniel Fast?” and “Daniel Fast Food List.” Also, you’ll be encouraged by reading more Daniel Fast testimonies.}

Back to School, Back to Prayer

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Summer vacation 2018 in Miramar Beach, FL

School is back in session for my kids, which means our three-month break is over. Gone are the lazy days of summer, when life is all about sleeping in late and vacationing long. Now, it’s time to resume my work schedule.

For the past week or so, I’ve been thinking about where God wants me to devote my time. Of course, there are the obvious responsibilities – cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and keeping our house somewhat organized. I also volunteer each week with a ministry at my church called Sisterhood Cares, lead a prayer group at our school, and write blog posts occasionally. But I’ve been wondering, Where does my focus need to be?

Just last night I shared these thoughts with my husband, Justin. He’s always a good sounding board when I need to process my emotions. Justin said, “Maybe you need to focus on the girls right now.” He was referring to our daughters, Isabelle who is in ninth grade, and Jocelyn, who’s in seventh. “Yes,” I replied, “but they’re gone most of the day.” Even as the words came out of my mouth, I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart, “You can pray.”

Ah, yes. Prayer. How easy it is to forget the importance of this much-needed spiritual discipline and let other things get in the way!

The Lord commands us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), which is a tall order. Frankly, the verse can be intimidating and make us feel like we’re immediately set up for failure. You may be wondering as I have in the past, How can I possibly obey that commandment? Well, rest assured, God doesn’t expect us to be on our knees 24/7. He understands that we’re all pulled in 20 different directions on most days. But, the Lord does want us to make prayer a priority in our lives.

The Greek definition for without ceasing is “adiáleipta” which means “with continuous action.” That means we keep praying, keep believing, and keep trusting in God even when life gets hard. We continue to pursue God through prayer, knowing that He hears us and is responding to our cries.

One of my goals this fall is to intercede for my two teenage daughters by praying God’s Word over their lives. Specifically, I plan to use a helpful tool called, “Promises to Claim for Your Children” to guide my prayer time.  If you have children, I encourage you to use these verses as you pray for them.

Here’s an example of how that might work: 

  • Verse: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Ps. 45:7).
  • Prayer: “Lord God, I thank you that (child’s name) loves righteousness. Give him/her an increasing desire to know you and Your Word. May he/she hate wickedness and avoid any evil path. Show favor to (child’s name) and fill his/her heart with joy.”

As you pray God’s Word over your children, your faith will be strengthened, and their lives will be impacted in a powerful way. You can also use the verses to pray over a spouse, family member, friend, or even yourself. God’s promises are for everyone! Tell God your desire to grow in prayer, ask Him to help, and watch the Lord do what He does best – astound you with His love, faithfulness, and power! 

Don’t Quit the Daniel Fast

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Don't Quit
More than once, I’ve received an email from someone who has “messed up” on the Daniel Fast. The question usually posed to me is, “Should I quit?”

When you participate in the 21-day fast, you determine to seek the Lord through increased time in His Word and in prayer. You also deny yourself the food you desire and decide to adhere to a fairly stringent – although healthy – way of eating for three weeks.

Messing up on the Daniel Fast could mean a variety of things. Maybe you caved and had a cup of coffee, stole a few French fries from your son’s plate, or gave in to the temptation to eat ice cream. However way you prematurely broke the fast, you may wonder if you should even continue at all.

My advice to you is, “No, don’t quit. Keep going!” Just because you fell off the wagon, so to speak, that doesn’t mean you should lie on the ground and stay there. You get up, dust yourself off, and get back on that wagon right away.

The Daniel Fast is difficult because fasting in any form is difficult. Just because you’re allowed to eat (as compared to a water fast when you’re not) doesn’t mean that your fast will be a breeze. Expect to be tempted. Expect to face challenging situations. And don’t be surprised if your fast doesn’t go as you planned.

I’ve done the Daniel Fast more times than I can count since 2009. Have I always completed the fast perfectly? Of course not! On my very first fast I used a salad dressing mix throughout the 21 days that contained sugar. I didn’t know it at the time because I never checked the ingredients on the label. Months after the fast, though, I saw “sugar” listed there as plain as day!

During another fast, I was a guest speaker at ladies’ luncheon. The woman who invited me had pre-paid for my meal. I remember feeling very torn inside, not knowing what to do. I wrestled for several minutes, trying to decide if I should show my gratitude to my friend and eat the non-Daniel Fast friendly food, or if I should polite refuse. I came off the fast for that one lunch because I didn’t want to be rude to my friend who had been so kind to me.

Just this past Monday I experienced another misstep on day 9 of the 21-day fast I’m doing with my church. Since day 1, I’d fasted one meal each day, usually breakfast. On Monday morning, my teenage daughter and I got into an argument, which made me feel frustrated and angry. I didn’t want to fast breakfast, so I planned on fasting lunch instead. Well, I ended up not only eating lunch but also dinner. I went the whole day without fasting one meal.

Did I feel like a loser? Yes. I even entertained thoughts of giving up. But my pastor had called our church to this fast, and I wasn’t about to let him or our church family down. More importantly, I wasn’t going to dishonor my God. On July 29th, 2018, I made a commitment to the Lord that I would devote the next 21 days to fasting and prayer, so I wasn’t about to drop out. I got back on track the next day.

If you have a bad day and blow it while on the Daniel Fast, don’t quit. Keep praying! Keep believing! Keep going! Refuse to let shame rest on your shoulders because God certainly doesn’t condemn you. “For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Ps. 103:14 NLT). When you make a mistake, you can be sure God is there, not to punish you but to show you His unfailing mercy and love.

Has something similar happened to you? How have you seen God give you strength to continue the Daniel Fast when you were tempted to quit?

We Need Each Other

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Friends
When I was in my late 20s, I asked the Lord for godly friends. I wanted to be surrounded by women of faith – women who are consistently pursuing Christ and striving to live according to God’s Word. My prayer was fueled by the desire to grow in wisdom – to walk with the wise so I might also be wise (Prov. 13:20a). Since I uttered that request years ago, I’ve seen the Lord answer in abundance.

Yesterday, I went to lunch with three of those godly friends – Debbie, Sheila, and Liz. We co-lead Sisterhood Cares, a prayer ministry at our church which reaches out to ladies who are going through a difficult time. The trial could be a family crisis, health issue, or loss of a loved one.

Though we share the same passion for the Lord and for helping hurting women, we’re different. Debbie is an aerobics instructor, cancer overcomer, and prayer warrior. Sheila is a writer, counselor, and grandmother. Liz, also a grandmother, is a business owner, pastor, and CrossFit competitor. The four of us met together to plan for an upcoming Sisterhood Cares meeting. But, once we’d covered the ministry details, we took turns sharing how we could pray for each other during our church’s 21-day fast.

When it was my turn, I was able to be honest, raw, and real about my current struggles. There wasn’t any judgment at that table. Only acceptance and love. That’s the power of Christ-centered community.

One of the most precious gifts God gives is other people. We’re not meant to go through this life alone. Friends give us God’s comfort. Friends love us despite our flaws and failures. Friends speak truth when we need to hear it. Friends lift us up when we’re down in the pit.

If you’re thinking about doing a Daniel Fast (or any type of fast), ask a friend to join you. Then, you can be accountable to one another and pray for one another. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” (Ecc. 4:9-10 NLT).

Maybe you’re in the same position I was when I was younger, and you’re lacking in solid friendships. Pray for them! You can be confident God will provide because He wants you to have godly influences in your life. And He wants you to be one as well.

Finally, if you’re feeling prompted by the Lord to enter into a time of prayer and fasting, you can join me and our church in our 21-day fast. It’s not too late!

May the Lord bless you with wonderful, God-fearing friends, who spur you on to be more like Jesus!

 

21 Days of Fasting and Prayer

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Today, I’m beginning 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer with my church. Our pastor has called us to this fast, and I’m thankful he has. First, because fasting is powerful and has supernatural results. Second, the timing is perfect as we prepare for the fall. Third, and most importantly, because I need it.

Just a few days ago, I wrote a blog post, “When You’re Desperate to Hear from God.” It was a rather general article about how desperation can drive us to our knees and to the Daniel Fast. But the subject idea came because I’m the one who is desperate. I’m the one who feels broken. I’m the one who needs a fresh touch from the Lord.

The past few months have been challenging, to say the least. The battle has been on every front. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Hurting people hurt people.” Well, that pretty much sums it up! Physically, I’m still recovering from a back injury that happened in December. Emotionally, I’ve been impatient, unkind, grumpy, and angry because I’m in physical pain. As a result, my relationships have suffered. I’ve become withdrawn and critical of others, often taking my frustrations out on those closest to me. And, spiritually, well, I’ve fallen into a pit – a dark, stinky, nasty pit. Thankfully, though, the Lord has been in it with me. He has stayed close while I’ve wrestled with negative emotions. My loving Father has continued to pursue me. Continued His unfailing love. Continued to speak words of life to my aching heart.

That’s why I’m ready for this this 21-day fast. I believe it’s a gift from the Lord and part of His loving-kindness toward me. God is giving me an invitation to be renewed in His presence.

So, for the next three weeks, July 29 to August 18, I’ll be fasting and praying. I’d love for you to join me.

What do you need from the Lord right now? Wisdom? Direction? Strength? Hope? Whatever it is, you can be sure that God is faithful. He’s faithful to hear your prayer and faithful to answer. He’s also able to do more than you could ever ask or even imagine (Eph. 3:20).

Do you believe it? Do you believe God can work a miracle in your situation? I do! 

So, what do you say? Will you commit the next three weeks to focused prayer? If so, comment below. Also, let me know how I can pray for you.

Let’s not miss an opportunity to see God’s power displayed in our churches, our communities, and our families! 

{If you’d like a prayer guide for your 21-day fast, check out my newest release, Lift Up Your Voice. Also, if you’re new to the Daniel Fast, be sure to get my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast.}

 

 

 

When You’re Desperate to Hear From God

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When You're Desperate to Hear From GodPeople choose to participate in the Daniel Fast for various reasons. Sometimes they need direction, such as when facing a major life decision. They cry out to God for emotional or physical healing. They seek the Lord’s favor in a particular situation.

But many times, it’s desperation that drives people to do the Daniel Fast. A wife fasts for her husband’s salvation. Parents fast for their wayward child. A newly saved meth addict fasts for freedom from dependence upon drugs.

Someone who is desperate has an urgent need and often has little or no hope. Does that sound like you? Do you feel like you’re drowning in despair? If so, take heart. God cares for you. He does see your pain, and He isn’t distant or disengaged.

The Daniel Fast helps you to focus on the Lord and His truth instead of on your circumstances. As you commit yourself to prayer, you take your eyes off yourself and put them onto your God. As you anchor yourself in the Word, you become faith-filled instead of fearful. Joyful instead of tearful. Encouraged rather than discouraged.

How do I know? Because I’ve experienced these transformations myself various times. I’ve seen God take my poor, pitiful self and breathe life into me when I felt hopeless, useless, powerless, and empty. I know He can and will do the same for you.

The Bible is clear that fasting is powerful and supernatural. In Mark 9, a father brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples, but they were unable to drive out the evil spirit. When Jesus came upon the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit, and the boy was set free. Later, in private, the disciples asked Jesus why they weren’t able to heal the boy. Jesus responded, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).

If you’re facing what seems like an impossible situation, fast and pray.

If your marriage is in turmoil, fast and pray.

If you’re stuck in a spiritual rut and need a fresh touch from the Lord, fast and pray.

If you’re desperate to hear from the Lord, then the Daniel Fast may be just what you need right now.

[For more information on the Daniel Fast, get my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast.]

One Month of Psalms

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Even the most committed Christian can struggle with consistency in reading the Bible. Life gets hectic. Distractions cause us to lose focus. Demands at work and responsibilities at home overwhelm.

It’s easy to miss a day of reading God’s Word. One day becomes two. Then a few days here and there can turn into several weeks. Soon, months pass. And, in some cases, months become years.

In a recent blog post titled, “Get Alone With God,” I shared about my recent struggle with regular Bible reading. May 2018 was jam-packed with multiple soccer games, out-of-town travel, school programs, doctor appointments, and ministry commitments. My calendar was full nearly every day, and I neglected to have quality time with the Lord.

No matter how many days it has been since you’ve opened your Bible, you can get back on track. I’d like to share one idea on how you can do it.

It’s called One Month of Psalms. You complete the whole book of Psalms in 30 days by reading five psalms a day. Five psalms is a manageable amount of verses (except for the day when Psalm 119 is part of the five!).

Following are four suggestions on how to make your 30-day study of Psalms more meaningful and effective:

  • Plan your start date. – The best part about doing One Month of Psalms is that you can begin any day of the year. I suggest using an online resource to help you. For example, Psalms in a Month allows you to choose your start date, which version of the Bible you prefer, and what time of day you’d like the verses emailed to you.
  • Ponder – You’ll read several verses each day, but often one or two will speak directly to your situation. Highlight those particular verses in your Bible. Write them on notecards. Put them in your phone. Think about them as you go about your day. Then, before you go to sleep at night, read them again, if you can. Saturate your mind with God’s promises.
  • Pray for opportunities. – Look for ways to share specific Bible verses with others. Maybe God will prompt you to email or text a friend. Or, perhaps you’ll have a chance to share a verse with someone in your family. If you ask the Lord for a chance to encourage people with His Word, you can be sure He will answer that prayer!
  • Persist! – Set your heart and mind on completing Psalms over the 30-day period. Be determined! Let nothing move you! Also, don’t allow yourself to go to bed at night unless you’ve finished your reading. Ideally, you should read the assigned verses early in the morning, so you can draw strength from them throughout the day.

One reason I love the psalms is because of the range of emotions they contain. The various writers poured out their hearts to the Lord through their words. Sometimes we see anger. Other times we witness confusion and pain. But many psalms include cries of joy and victory as believers put their confidence in the Lord.

If you decide to do One Month of Psalms, let me know in the comments below. I pray that as you set aside 30 days to immerse yourself in Psalms, you’ll be strengthened and encouraged to keep reading God’s powerful Word. It’s truly life changing!

Get Alone With God

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Get Alone With God

Do you have a special place where you like to read your Bible and pray? Maybe it’s a comfy chair or a designated area of your house. Perhaps you’re like me and you can best hear from the Lord outside among His creation, such as in the mountains or on the beach.

But sometimes life gets hectic. Before we know it,we’ve failed to connect with our heavenly Father for days. Weeks. Sometimes even months. 

I say “we” because I’ve been there. Often. So, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

All throughout the month of May, I struggled with being consistent in reading God’s Word. Prayer was often sporadic as well. Although I thought about the Lord, I rarely took the time to commune with Him. Instead, I kept myself busy with other things. With less important things. Soon I missed my Friend. I desperately needed some one-on-one with Him, and I longed to hear His voice.

Last night at our church’s Wednesday night prayer service, I confessed to the Lord how I’d been rebellious and lazy and apathetic. I also thanked God for His mercy and grace and patience.  A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders as I expressed my deep desire to grow closer to Him. 

Has something similar ever happened to you? 

When we feel distant from the Lord, it’s because we have pulled back, not because He has. The best remedy for that kind of situation is to humble ourselves before the Lord and just talk to Him. In those moments, we can be completely honest about our feelings and struggles because He knows our hearts anyway. 

God is always ready to meet with us. He’s never too busy. Never distracted. Never inconvenienced. When we make a move toward the Lord, His arms are already open wide, ready to embrace us in unconditional love. 

I want to encourage you to get away with the Lord today. Go to your special place where you can be alone with Him. If you don’t have one, ask God to provide.  (Also, if you’d like a plan for regular Bible reading, check out my recent blog post, “One Month of Psalms.”)

No matter how you feel right now, after a few moments with the Lord, you’ll be changed. Strengthened. Uplifted. And blessed.

May God fill your heart with great joy as you spend time in His presence today! 

{Additional resources for growth in your prayer life: The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, Lift Up Your Voice: 21 Daily Devotions for Your Daniel Fast, and Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul.}

It’s Time to Get Spiritually Strong!

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Spiritually Strong by Kristen Feola

What kind of shape are you in? Are you an active person – someone who exercises several times a week? Or are you more of a coach potato whose idea of a “workout” is walking to the mailbox? What about your spiritual fitness? Do you set aside time each day to read the Bible and pray? Or do you find it difficult to be consistent in spending time with the Lord?

No matter where you are on the spectrum in these areas of your life, you can improve. You can get in better physical and spiritual condition by joining my next session of the Spiritually Strong Online Bible Study, which will be held April 2 to May 13, 2018.

Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul will help you grow stronger in the Lord. The book includes a six-week Bible study and workout program that will challenge you in the following six disciplines – Bible study, prayer, fasting, healthy living, financial stewardship, and serving others.

You’ll learn to:

  • Study the Bible and understand what God is saying to you.
  • Pray with power.
  • Incorporate periodic fasting into your life.
  • Honor God with your body through nutritious eating and exercise.
  • Practice good stewardship of the resources God has given you.
  • Serve others in humility as an outward demonstration of God’s love.

Whether you’ve been a Christ follower for years or are fairly new to the faith, you’ll benefit from the practical principles in Spiritually Strong.

Spiritually Strong Online Study

To join the six-week online study, you can choose from three different levels of participation:

Tier 1 ($5) – You will receive:
– Weekly email newsletter (begins three weeks prior to start of study to help you prepare)
– Weekly video
– Tips, recipes, and tools for success
(For participants who already have a copy of Spiritually Strong)

Tier 2 ($20) – You will receive:
– Everything included in Tier 1
– Personalized, signed copy of Spiritually Strong
(Price includes shipping. Extra charge for shipping outside the US.)

Tier 3 ($30) – You will receive:
– Everything included in Tier 1
– Personalized, signed copy of Spiritually Strong
– Spiritually Strong Exercise DVD (22 exercises)
(Price includes shipping. Extra charge for shipping outside the US.)

Note: Payment can be made through Paypal or by using your credit card. See drop-down menu below. 

*Registration has ended for this event.*

Be sure to invite family and friends to go through Spiritually Strong with you! Also, feel free to share the official book trailer on social media.

The Daniel Fast and Lent 2018

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Lent 2018 logoLent is the season of preparation in the weeks leading up to Easter when believers reflect on Jesus Christ—his life, death, burial, and resurrection. Such preparation often includes days of fasting from certain foods, television, and/or social media. During this time, many Christians also choose to participate in a Daniel Fast. 

The purpose of Lent is prepare the way for Easter Sunday, a day that’s all about rejoicing in the new life we’ve been given in Christ. But how can we celebrate to the fullest when men and women around us are still dying in their sin?

The truth is, we can’t.

If you’re like me, you don’t think about eternity enough. You don’t dwell on the fact that your brother or sister or spouse or child is headed to Hell. But you need to think about it. And so do I.

Hell is real place. It’s not a figment of anyone’s imagination. It’s also not a joke or a party. Heaven is also a real place. People who have accepted God’s gift of salvation will be in God’s presence forever when they die. Those who haven’t, won’t. They will spend eternity separated from God and anything good. Instead of unending joy, they’ll endure utter darkness and misery, being tormented in ways we can’t even comprehend.

Lent is a perfect opportunity to pray others into the kingdom of God. Eternity is at stake here! The need is urgent. People are desperate to know the hope we have in Christ. Lent is also a great time to intercede for other believers, who need wisdom, strength, and perseverance as they follow the Lord.

Will you fast and pray during the Lenten season, which is Wednesday, February 14, to Thursday, March 29?

Following are a few ways you can participate:

The most important thing you can do during Lent is to pray. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16B NLT). Your prayers make a difference and will change the history of people you know!

As we humble ourselves and seek the Lord during Lent, we will see God pour out His favor in miraculous ways! 

January 2018 Daniel Fast Testimonies

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Thanks be to God for victory in Jesus!
Praise God for all He did through the January 2018 Daniel Fast! The seventh annual online fast was held January 7-27, 2018.

Our theme for this year’s Daniel Fast was “Lift Up Your Voice,” which was based upon 2 Chronicles 20. Through the 21-day fast, we studied the story of King Jehoshaphat and discovered the importance of prayer and praise, especially during trials. We also saw how God responded as the people cried out to him for help in their crisis.

Everyone who registered for the online fast received weekly emails and daily videos of encouragement and support (you can view the list of videos here). Many fast participants also chose to use my new book, Lift Up Your Voice: 21 Daily Devotions for Your Daniel Fast, to guide their Bible study time. Others took advantage of the resources in The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast to make their fast more effective. I’m so thankful for every person who joined the fast. It truly was an honor to have so many men and women from around the world partner with me in prayer.

Following are just a few testimonies from the January 2018 Daniel Fast:

“I’ve tried to fast in the past, but it has never worked. When I started this Daniel Fast with you, the willpower was unbelievable. I feel amazing! I feel like something has transformed in my life, and I want more. I’m stronger and wiser now. I’m ready to defeat the enemy. The victory has already been won because I cried out to the Lord and sung praises unto His name. Thank you, Kristen, for allowing God to use you to help His people get even closer to Him.” – Ramona

“I’m looking forward to 2018 with great anticipation and expectation. The same GOD who helped King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah will do it for me and all of my Christians brothers and sisters as we use this time to draw closer to Him.” – Robert

“God is wonderful! On the fast, I had applied for jobs, believing that the Lord would answer my prayers and lead me. Last week I got called by two companies. My daughter said, “Mummy, this fast is really good. God is answering our prayers already.” May His name be praised!” – Ibiso

“Since beginning the Ultimate Daniel Fast, I have learned how to really cry out to God. He has absolutely been amazing! He made it possible for me to attend a women’s conference when I didn’t have the money to pay for the hotel, transportation or food. The conference poured into my spirit, and I praised God like it was my last time. He has done so much for me that I cannot tell it all!” – Teresa

“I just wanted to thank you for your leadership during this fast. I enjoyed the structure and following King Jehoshaphat’s story. I’ve been doing the Daniel Fast for at least five years. Every time the Lord meets with me, cleanses me, and reminds me that He has my back and that I will overcome any painful or frightening situation because of who He is. I praise Him! May God continue to bless you and your ministry!” – Wendy

“Kristen, I thank God that He directed you in starting the online fast. It has helped strengthen me, and each year gets better and better. I can the Lord drawing me to focus on nothing but Him and His ability to do above or beyond what we ask or think. I can feel Lord giving me strength. The Lord is going to give back, in this year, what the enemy has stolen. I’m trusting Him for that. Thank you for allowing God to use you and for your continued obedience to Him.” – Sherry

“God called me to participate in the Daniel Fast for the purpose of delivering me from destructive eating habits that were hindering my spiritual growth.  God has empowered me to put aside the sin of turning to food for comfort so that I could turn to the Comforter!  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, my addiction to sugar has been broken, and I’m no longer powerless against the temptation to overindulge in sweets. I’m trusting the LORD for grace to keep me from returning to old, negative habits that were unhealthy and destructive.  God worked mightily in me to teach me the discipline that I was lacking.  I’m so thankful to the LORD for leading me to Kristen’s book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast. Giving up the foods that I once liked for the purpose of drawing closer to my God and Father was a life-changing experience. God did wonders beyond imagination!” – Sharon           

“In this time that I’ve come before Him intentionally, He’s done so much. He’s led me to create a prayer closet, and as I come before Him daily He renews me, strengthens me, leads me, and blesses me. I’ve learned so much on this journey with you. I pray that God continues to use you to reach the masses! God is so amazing, and I’m so super excited! Again, thank you! To God be the glory!” – Shataka

Yes, AMEN! To God be the glory! The Lord has certainly done great and mighty things through the January 2018 Daniel Fast! But the best part is that even though our fast has ended, our prayers will continue to make a difference. God is still at work in us and through us! Victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord!

If you missed being a part of the January 2018 Online Daniel Fast, be sure to sign up for my monthly newsletter to stay informed about future fasting events. Also, if you’re currently on the Daniel Fast or plan to do it later this year, you can take advantage of the 21 daily videos from the January 2018 Daniel Fast. These videos can accompany the 21-day devotional, Lift Up Your Voice.