daniel's fast recipes

Pray. Wait. Trust.

November 13, 2018 By Kristen Feola

“I love to wait!” said no one ever.

Just ask the 15-year-old counting down the months until he or she can be a licensed driver. Or the businessman who has been passed over time and time again for a job promotion. Or the pregnant mother eagerly anticipating the baby she has carried for nine months.

Waiting is not a popular past-time, but it’s a big part of our lives. We spend countless hours waiting in traffic jams, in grocery check-out lines, and at the doctor’s office. We wait, and we wait. And we wait.

Every January for the past seven years, I’ve led an online Daniel Fast. Each fast has been an incredible time in God’s presence as thousands of believers have joined together in prayer. Since it takes months to prepare materials for the January event, I usually start preparing for it in September. In the past, God has given me a theme, along with a related verse or passage. Then I’ve built the fast around that theme. However, this year has been different.

By late October, I still didn’t have any clear direction on what to do. Although I’d been praying for months about the fast, I wasn’t hearing anything specific from God. But what I did hear was this:

Pray.

Wait.

Trust.

So that’s what I’m doing. I’m continuing to pray about January. I’m waiting on the Lord to make my path clear. I’m choosing to trust in Him to answer at just the right time.

But I know I’m not the only one waiting on God right now. What about you? What are you waiting for?

Whatever it is, take it to the Lord in prayer (yes, just like the old hymn). Talk to God about your need. Maybe it’s something you’ve been praying about for weeks, months, or even years. I know it can be difficult to keep bringing the same request to God, but you can’t give up now! God is at work, and He wants you to trust Him.

One thing I recommend is to rehearse His promises to you. Truth will keep you on track when you get weary in the waiting. Here are a few of my favorite verses:

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel” (Phil. 4:6-7 CEV).
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Ps. 27:14).
“Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” (Is. 40:31 BSB).
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you” (Ps. 9:10 NLT).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Waiting may not be fun, but it’s always a faith-building exercise that makes us stronger in the Lord. Over the past few weeks, I’ve discovered a growing sense of excitement as I patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) wait on God’s plan for January to be revealed. Whatever He has in store for me, it will be worth the wait! The same is true for you. God’s purposes for you are good (Jer. 29:11), and you can trust Him to work everything out. Just remember:

Pray.

Wait.

Trust.

God will take care of the rest.

Don’t Quit the Daniel Fast

August 8, 2018 By Kristen Feola

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 29^th, 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?

21 Days of Fasting and Prayer

July 29, 2018 By Kristen Feola

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.}

It’s Time to Get Spiritually Strong!

February 28, 2018 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.

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.

order here:

If you’d like a signed copy of Spiritually Strong sent via priority mail to your home, click on the “Buy Now” button to complete your transaction. Note: Shipping is only available to US mainland addresses.

Chai Chia Pudding

December 4, 2017 By Kristen Feola

Sometimes breakfast can be a challenge on the Daniel Fast, especially when you’re used to having yogurt or a bagel and cream cheese with your morning coffee. Here’s a breakfast recipe that requires minimal preparation, is naturally sweet and healthy, and tastes great. The chia seeds also provide a nice amount of protein, and the dates provide energy for your day.

Chai Chia Pudding

A creamy, tasty breakfast dish that gives you a nutritional boost to start your day. It's also perfect for a morning or afternoon snack.

4.59 from 17 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 268 kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened coconut milk, or water
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 Medjool dates, pitted, chopped
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves

Instructions

Place all ingredients in blender, and process until smooth.
Set in refrigerator overnight. Stir well before serving.

Notes

Top with sliced banana and/or unsweetened shredded coconut flakes.
Before serving, sprinkle a few chopped almonds or pecans on top.
To boost the protein content even more, add Daniel Fast friendly protein powder (see my blog post, Protein Powder on the Daniel Fast, for more information).
To reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe, you can omit one date. Each date contains 16 grams of natural fruit sugar.
Add 1 tablespoon Date Honey to almond milk and chia seeds before blending instead of using 2 chopped dates.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 5gFat: 9gFiber: 11gSugar: 32g

January 2018 Daniel Fast Begins Soon

November 17, 2017 By Kristen Feola

It’s hard to believe that soon we’ll be saying good-bye to 2017 and hello to 2018. Even though we’re still several weeks away from January, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about how to start the New Year off right. I believe the best way to kick off 2018 is through the January 2018 Online Daniel Fast.

I want to invite you to participate in the January 2018 Daniel Fast, which will be held Sunday, January 7th, through Saturday, January 27th. When you join the fast through my website, ultimatedanielfast.com, you commit to seeking the Lord through focused prayer for 21 days. You also deny yourself certain foods as an act of worship to the Lord.

Make plans now to join me and thousands of people around the world as we seek the Lord together. Registration for the January 2018 Daniel Fast begins Thursday, Dec. 7th, here on my Ultimate Daniel Fast website.

This January will be my seventh year to lead the online Daniel Fast. I’ve been working diligently since September to prepare, and I can’t wait to share the details with you in a few weeks! The Lord has been helping me get everything ready for our start date, which is only 52 days from today. (Yikes!)

The January 2018 Daniel Fast is going to be a powerful, life-changing experience. You don’t want to miss out on this unique opportunity to hear from the Lord and see him work in miraculous ways. For help in preparing for the January 2018 Daniel Fast, you can benefit from the resources in my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, which is available online or in bookstores.

Mark your calendar for two important dates that are coming up quickly: December 7th to sign up for the fast, and January 7th to start!

I’m looking forward to all the wonderful things God is going to do as we fast and pray!

The Daniel Fast and Lent 2017

February 17, 2017 By Kristen Feola

As an author, I’m a big fan of words. I enjoy looking up definitions to understand terms in a deeper way. So when I began writing this blog post about Lent 2017, of course, I had to do research on “lent.”

The word “lent” comes from the Old English term “lencten,” which means “spring.” On the surface, the meaning seems nice and sweet. After all, Spring is a wonderful season of the year. The weather turns warmer. Flowers begin to bloom. Nature comes alive. What’s not to like?

But you can’t experience the beauty of Spring without the harshness of Winter. Frigid temperatures. Brown, barren landscapes. Bitterly cold winds that cut to the bone. All components of Winter. All necessary to usher in Spring.

(You may think I’m chasing a rabbit trail here, but stick with me. I promise it will all tie together.)

Let’s go back to Lent. You may be wondering, What is Lent? It’s OK if you have no idea. I didn’t really either until a few years ago.

Lent 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.

These types of sacrifices are certainly beneficial. But when I consider the definition of Lent, I have to conclude that its practice should involve more than mere meditation on what Christ did for us.

Of course, it’s good to remember how Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. Our Lord willingly subjected Himself to the cruelest, most unforgiving Winter of all so we might experience life in Him. His death on the cross may a way for us to experience a wonderful, eternal Spring that lasts forever!

The purpose of Lent is designed to make believers ready for Easter Sunday, a day that’s all about celebrating this 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? How can we rejoice in our Spring when people we love are stuck in Winter?

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.

I see Lent, then, as 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, March 1, to Saturday, April 15? If so, indicate your commitment in the comments section below.

Ways you can participate:

Do a Daniel Fast (my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, provides all you need to complete the fast successfully).
Fast one day a week during Lent.
Do a combination of fasts (water, juice, Daniel).
Use a prayer journal to record your requests.
Print out my Lent 2017 Prayer Guide and put it where you’ll see it every day, such as on your refrigerator or in your Bible or journal.
Subscribe to my Lent 2017 Daily Prayer Points to receive emails that will show you how to implement the Lent 2017 Prayer Guide.

The most important thing is that you 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!

My prayer is for the Lord to pour out His power as we seek Him during Lent. May we see thousands of people turn to Him for salvation! May we also be revived in the process!

If you plan to do the Daniel Fast during Lent, be sure to take advantage of the helpful resources in my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast. It provides everything you need, including 21 daily devotions, 100+ recipes, three weeks of meal plans, grocery shopping lists, fasting tips, and more!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2017 By Kristen Feola

As you celebrate this Valentine’s Day,
remember there is One who loves you most of all.

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world
so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins”
(1 John 4:9-11 NLT).

Apple, Pomegranate, and Kale Salad

December 20, 2016 By Kristen Feola

Apple, Pomegranate, and Kale Salad

This beautiful salad recipe is perfect for a party, holiday gathering, or dinner at home. It's a wonderful complement to a Daniel Fast soup or main dish.

4.38 from 16 votes

Print Recipe

Course Salad

Servings

Calories 164 kcal