Daniel Fast 2025 – A Word from the Pastor
As we approach the Daniel Fast this year, let us do so with new hope and with new expectations. Remember, this fast is to be more than simply a modification of your diet. Let this fast be an indication of your change and devotion to the things of God. The Word tells us that we must fast and pray if we want to have the fullness of God in our lives. Though fasting and prayer, we are able to receive powerful revelation from God and breakthrough into areas of spiritual darkness and bondage where Satan seeks to gain a foothold in our lives. Living with the victory of God does not happen by mistake; this is only achieved on purpose, as we operate in the purpose of God.
In the Hebrew tongue, the word for fasting is Kana. Kana means to subdue or to bring low. It is the scriptural word for either bringing down an enemy in combat or subduing your own soul in an act of humility. This is why the combination of fasting and prayer can bring powerful results.
Here are some very important reasons why we must fast and pray:
1) For Fresh Vision: Everyday God is ready to show us something new.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
2) Prayer for Breakthrough: Some spiritual breakthroughs are not achieved without prayer and fasting.
Dan 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
3) Freedom Through Fasting: Prayer and fasting brings deliverance and freedom from every type of bondage.
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
4) Temporary Sacrifice for Greater Peace: The temporary sacrifice of fasting and the time we spend in prayer reap greater benefits than we could ever imagine or think.
2Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
5) A Fasting Prayer for a Miracle: Miracles happen when we pray and fast.
Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
6) For Perseverance: There can be no spiritual endurance without strength. There is no strength without prayer and fasting.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
7) A Prayer for God's Provision in Time of Need: Through prayer and fasting, we never forget that God is our Source.
Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
8) For Sin You Can't Shake: There are stubborn sins that will not let go until the Word of God has starved them out.
Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
9) For Strength Against Spiritual Warfare: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
10) Fasting for Holy Spirit Guidance: The Holy Spirit is our teacher and our guide.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
11) Confession in Fasting: Through prayer and fasting, we become spiritually honest and sincere in our dealings with ourselves and with each other.
Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
12) To Know God's Purpose: God fulfills His purpose for our lives when we call upon His Name.
Ps 57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
13) Surrender in Fasting and Prayer: Without prayer and fasting we will never truly submit ourselves to God’s will.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
14) For Wisdom and Guidance: The leading by God’s Hand comes only when we recognize His Holiness and authority over our lives.
Ps 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Ps 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Ps 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Ps 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
As important as it is that we are experiencing personal times of prayer and fasting, the Word also says that the Church must fast as the Body of Christ.
Joel 1:14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord,
This is the only prescription that scripture gives us to bring back strength, abundance and power to the people of God. In Joel chapter 1, the people had become lazy and unconcerned about their relationship with God. Because of this, the work of the Lord was suffering and the people were living beneath their privilege. God did not tell them to get to work and fix things, instead He told them to get on their knees pray and call a fast that He could heal them.
This is what God wants to do in our lives right now. We have seen so much personal and individual growth over the last year. We have had seen God’s faithfulness to His Church and to the ministry of Bethel Evangel Community Church. Let us not become weary in well doing. God has so much more for us. Let us be expectant and confident in His ability to accomplish His will in our personal lives and in the Body of Christ. Let us look forward to this new season in God. Let us prepare ourselves for the harvest when it comes.
We need to see a harvest of souls. There are many who do not know Jesus. We must pray for divine direction on how to reach those who are lost. Many of us have family members who need to know Jesus. We must pray for God to reach their hearts. He did it for us; He will do it for them. Our communities need healing. There is so much hatred and division in our world right now. The Body of Christ needs healing and restoration. The needs are great. The fields are ripe unto harvest, but the laborers are few. Let us pray that God will send laborers into His harvest during this fast.
As in year’s past, this year our daily readings will be primarily from the book of Daniel but will have other Old and New Testament readings as well. I am confident that this year’s fast will be powerful, productive, and positive. Let us move forward into 2025 with the assurance that we are starting this year dedicating everything to God in complete dependence on His Guidance, His Grace and His Glory. God bless you all.
Pastor Paul - December 2024
Daily Devotionals
Day 1: Fasting to Hear and Be Heard (Jan 6)
Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. (Daniel 10:12)
Day 2: Fasting to Remain Undefiled (Jan 7)
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. (Daniel 1:8-9)
Day 3: Fasting to Pause (Jan 8)
So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days. And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better, and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. (Daniel 1:14-15)
Day 4 Devotional: Fasting to Prepare (Jan 9)
So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time, in order that he might declare the interpretation to the king. (Daniel 2:16)
Day 5 Devotional: Fasting to Wait (Jan 10)
Daniel said, “May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.” (Daniel 2:20)
Day 6: Fasting to Gain Perspective (Jan 11)
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up. (Daniel 3:17-18)
Day 7: Fasting to Be Delivered (Jan 12)
Look! I see four men untied and walking about in the middle of the fire unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods! (Daniel 3:25)
Day 8: Fasting to Know God (Jan 13)
You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the animals of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes. Daniel 4:32
Day 9: Fasting to Humble Ourselves (Jan 14)
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just; and He is able to humble those who walk in pride. Daniel 4:37
Day 10: Fasting to Be Equipped for Battle (Jan 15)
This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of riddles, and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned and he will declare the interpretation. (Daniel 5:12)
Day 11: Fasting to Be Powerful in Prayer (Jan 16)
Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously. (Daniel 6:10)
Day 12: Fasting For an Excellent Spirit (Jan 17)
Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king intended to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. (Daniel 6:3-4)
Day 13: Fasting for Revelation (Jan 18)
And to Him was given dominion, honor, and a kingdom, so that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14)
Day 14: Fasting to Worship (Jan 19)
A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were serving Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court convened, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:10)
Day 15: Fasting For Discernment (Jan 20)
When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man. (Daniel 8:15)
Day 16: Fasting and Intercession (Jan 21)
So I gave my attention to the Lord God, to seek Him by prayer and pleading, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (Daniel 9:3)
Day 17: Fasting For Breakthrough (Jan 22)
While I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. And he instructed me and talked with me and said, “Daniel, I have come now to give you insight with understanding.” (Daniel 9:21-22)
Day 18: Fasting For Endurance (Jan 23)
And he said, “You who are treasured, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I felt strengthened and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” (Daniel 10:19)
Day 19: Fasting For Life (Jan 24)
In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. (Daniel 10:2-3)
Day 20: Fasting For Fulfillment (Jan 25)
In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be of assistance and a protection for him. (Daniel 11:1)
Day 21 Devotional: Fasting To Shine Brightly (Jan 26)
And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)