Join The Fast

Hi Rock Family! 

We are getting ready to embark on this 4-week journey of fasting and praying by utilizing the structure of “The Daniel Fast”.  This journey will begin on Monday, January 20th and end on Monday, February 17th. 

The Daniel Fast is a spiritual practice that involves giving up indulgent foods as an act of devotion. The purpose of the fast is to draw you closer to God through prayer and sacrifice.

As part of our fast, we will be reading Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day: A 40-Day Journey with the Daily Office by Peter Scazzero. This devotional will guide us through daily reflections, helping us to engage with Scripture and prayer in a deeper way.

Each day, Peter Scazzero invites you to the ancient and yet powerful spiritual discipline of the Daily Office, the practice of pausing morning and evening to reflect on God's work in your life.

The book is available for purchase at a cost of $9.25. We encourage everyone to join us on this transformative journey—be sure to pick up your copy today and prepare your heart for what God has in store!

Daniel 1:8-14(EASY) - 8But Daniel decided that God did not want him to eat the king's food and wine. He knew that it might be against God's rules. So he asked the king's special officer that he might not have to eat the king's food. 9God had already caused the officer to like Daniel and to be kind to him. 10But the officer said to Daniel, ‘I am afraid of the king, who is my master. He has chosen the food that he wants you to eat. If you eat different food, you might become weaker than the other young men. If the king sees that, he might kill me!’ 11The officer had chosen a guard to watch Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So Daniel spoke to this man. 12He said, ‘Please sir, watch us for ten days. Give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13After ten days, see what our faces and our bodies look like. Also see what the other young men who eat the king's food look like. When you look at them and you look at us, you can decide what to do with us.’ 14The guard agreed to what they said. He watched them for ten days.

Foods that are permitted to eat during this time of fasting:

· Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, frozen, dried, canned, or juiced fruits and vegetables are allowed, as long as they don't contain added sugar or preservatives

· Whole grains: Unleavened breads and minimally processed whole grains are permitted, such as barley, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, and wild rice

· Nuts and seeds: All types of nuts and seeds are permitted, except those with added salt

· Beans and legumes: All types of beans and legumes are permitted, such as black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas

· Oils: Vegetable oils are permitted in small amounts, such as olive, avocado, peanut, coconut, grapeseed, canola, walnut, and sesame oil

· Herbs and spices: All fresh and dried herbs and spices are permitted

· Beverages: Water is the main beverage, but unsweetened plant beverages such as 100% fruit juice are permitted in small amounts

· All Seafood

· Medications, Vitamins and supplements: All are permitted as needed

Foods that are NOT permitted to eat:

· Animal products Meat: (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey), dairy, (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt), eggs.

· Added sugar: Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar.

· Refined grains: White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. 

· Processed food: Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives.

· Deep-fried food: Examples are corn chips, French fries, and potato chips. (Baked chips are acceptable if they don't contain restricted ingredients. Check the label for "baked" to be sure.)

· Solid fats: Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening.

· Chocolate: Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao.

· Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages: Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks.

Benefits of Fasting:

· Spiritual benefits: A closer relationship with God, increased effectiveness in prayer, and guidance in decisions. 

· Physical benefits: Weight loss, detoxification, increased energy levels, improved digestion, and reduced inflammation. 

· Mental benefits: Mental toughness and sharpness, clearer thinking, and more positive attitude. 

Fasting Tips to Stay Focus:

1. Preparing Mentally and Spiritually: Before starting the fast, take some time to set clear goals and intentions for your fast, such as seeking spiritual breakthroughs, clarity in decision-making, or physical healing. 

2. Plan Your Meals: Plan your meals and snacks in advance to ensure you have a variety of nutritious foods to sustain you throughout the fast. Experiment with new recipes and explore different flavors to keep your meals interesting. 

3. Prayer and Meditations: Set aside dedicated time each day for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection. Use this time to draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and listen for His voice. 

Be sure to consult your doctor before starting any fast, decide together what is possible. If your health condition prohibits you from fasting food, try fasting something else that would be a sacrifice or distraction for you and replace that time concentrating on prayer and bible study. 

Prayer Groups

We encourage everyone to continue praying in your prayer groups throughout this time of fasting. Corporate prayer is a vital part of the fasting experience, and there is great power in agreement.

Let’s stay united in prayer as we support one another during this journey!