The Daniel Fast | Mt. Calvary Church

Our church began a 21-Day Daniel Fast on March 30, 2025 at 5pm. The 21 day fast will end at 5pm on April 20, 2025--Easter Sunday.

Please check with your healthcare provider before participating in this corporate fast to ensure the safety of your wellbeing.

"Then Daniel said to the steward, 'Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you...' At the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who ate the royal food."

— Daniel 1:12-15 (NIV)

What Is the Daniel Fast?

The Daniel Fast is a biblically inspired partial fast based on two passages:

1. Daniel 1:8-16 – Daniel and his friends ate only vegetables and water to avoid defiling themselves.

2. Daniel 10:2-3 – Daniel abstained from "choice food" (meat, wine, rich bread) to focus on prayer.

This 21-day fast emphasizes consuming plant-based, whole foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes) and abstaining from meat, dairy, sugar, processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol. The spiritual focus is prayer, scripture meditation, and seeking God’s will (Jeremiah 29:13). This fast will help us draw closer to God (James 4:8); reset body and spirit (Romans 12:1-2); and pray with clarity (Matthew 6:16-18).

"This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

— Matthew 17:21

How to Use This Guide:

1. Follow the daily meal plans (or mix/match within guidelines).

2. Meditate on the scriptures provided each day.

3. Journal insights God reveals during the fast.

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

Surrender & Preparation

Focus: Drawing near to God through discipline and devotion.

Day 1

Breakfast: Oatmeal with almond butter, chia seeds, and blueberries

Lunch: Lentil soup with a side of whole-grain bread and mixed greens

Dinner: Baked sweet potatoes, quinoa, and steamed broccoli

Scripture: Daniel 1:8– "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself..."

Day 2

Breakfast: Green smoothie (spinach, banana, flaxseed, almond milk)

Lunch: Chickpea salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil, lemon) with whole-grain crackers

Dinner: Stir-fried tofu with brown rice and mixed vegetables

Scripture: Daniel 10:3 – "I ate no pleasant bread..."

Day 3

Breakfast: Chia pudding (chia seeds, almond milk, cinnamon, sliced apples)

Lunch: Stuffed bell peppers (quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes)

Dinner: Roasted eggplant with garlic-tahini sauce and roasted carrots

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18– "When you fast, anoint your head..."

Day 4

Breakfast: Avocado toast (whole-grain bread) with sliced tomatoes

Lunch: Spinach and walnut salad with balsamic dressing

Dinner: Butternut squash soup with whole-grain bread

Scripture: Psalm 51:10– "Create in me a clean heart..."

Day 5

Breakfast: Fruit salad (apples, oranges, berries) with a handful of almonds

Lunch: Black bean tacos (corn tortillas, lettuce, salsa)

Dinner: Zucchini noodles with marinara sauce and roasted chickpeas

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6– "Is this not the fast I have chosen?"

Day 6

Breakfast: Banana-oat pancakes (mashed banana + oats + almond milk)

Lunch: Quinoa salad (cucumber, red onion, lemon dressing)

Dinner: Lentil stew with kale

Scripture: James 4:8– "Draw near to God..."

Day 7

Breakfast: Apple slices with almond butter

Lunch: Hummus with carrot and celery sticks, whole-grain pita

Dinner: Roasted vegetable medley (zucchini, bell peppers, onions) with brown rice

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6– "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."

Seeking God’s Will

Focus: Deepening prayer and listening for God’s direction.

Day 8

Breakfast: Oatmeal with walnuts and raisins

Lunch: White bean and kale soup

Dinner: Baked portobello mushrooms with quinoa and steamed asparagus

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13– "You will seek Me and find Me..."

Day 9

Breakfast: Smoothie (mango, spinach, flaxseed, water)

Lunch: Chickpea and avocado wrap (whole-grain tortilla)

Dinner: Stir-fried tempeh with brown rice and bok choy

Scripture: Psalm 37:4– "Delight yourself in the Lord..."

Day 10

Breakfast: Chia pudding with berries

Lunch: Lentil and vegetable curry (coconut milk base)

Dinner: Roasted cauliflower steaks with tahini drizzle and wild rice

Scripture: Matthew 7:7– "Ask, and it will be given..."

Day 11

Breakfast: Avocado toast (whole-grain) with radish slices

Lunch: Quinoa-stuffed tomatoes with fresh basil

Dinner: Garlicky white bean and kale soup

Scripture: Psalm 119:105- "Your word is a lamp to my feet..."

Day 12

Breakfast: Banana-spinach smoothie (almond milk, flaxseed)

Lunch: Mediterranean chickpea salad (cucumber, olives, red onion)

Dinner: Ratatouille (eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes) with quinoa

Scripture: John 15:5- "Apart from Me, you can do nothing."

Day 13

Breakfast: Oatmeal with stewed apples and cinnamon

Lunch: Roasted red pepper and walnut spread (on whole-grain crackers)

Dinner: Spaghetti squash with mushroom marinara

Scripture: Romans 12:2- "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

Day 14

Breakfast: Fresh figs and walnuts with herbal tea

Lunch: Cabbage and carrot slaw with lime dressing

Dinner: Moroccan-spiced lentil stew with sweet potatoes

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3- "Commit your works to the Lord..."

Faith & Breakthrough

Focus: Standing in faith for answered prayers and spiritual growth.

Day 15

Breakfast: Oatmeal with cinnamon and sliced banana

Lunch: Three-bean salad (kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans)

Dinner: Spaghetti squash with homemade tomato sauce

Scripture: Mark 11:24– "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe..."

Day 16

Breakfast: Smoothie bowl (acai, banana, granola)

Lunch: Stuffed sweet potatoes (black beans, salsa, avocado)

Dinner: Vegetable stir-fry with tofu and quinoa

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6– "Without faith it is impossible to please God..."

Day 17

Breakfast: Oatmeal with chopped dates and walnuts

Lunch: Roasted beet and quinoa salad (with lemon-tahini dressing)

Dinner: Spicy black bean soup with avocado slices

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20– "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more..."

Day 18

Breakfast: Chia pudding with mango and coconut flakes

Lunch: Grilled portobello mushrooms with roasted Brussels sprouts

Dinner: Lentil curry with brown rice

Scripture: James 1:6– "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..."

Day 19

Breakfast: Apple-cinnamon quinoa porridge

Lunch: Chickpea "tuna" salad (mashed chickpeas, celery, onion, mustard) on whole-grain bread

Dinner: Stuffed zucchini boats (quinoa, tomatoes, herbs)

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23– "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess..."

Day 20

Breakfast: Green smoothie (kale, pineapple, flaxseed, water)

Lunch: Roasted sweet potato and black bean bowl (with lime-cilantro dressing)

Dinner: Eggplant "meatballs" with marinara and zucchini noodles

Scripture: Mark 9:23– "All things are possible to him who believes."

Day 21 (Final Day!)

Breakfast: Fresh fruit platter (berries, melon, almonds)

Lunch: Rainbow salad (mixed greens, shredded carrots, purple cabbage, sunflower seeds)

Dinner: Celebration meal! Vegetable paella (saffron rice, peas, bell peppers, artichokes)

Scripture: Isaiah 58:11– "The Lord will guide you continually... and you will be like a watered garden."

Don't sweat it! Take it one day at a time, and remember to pray and ask GOD to help you through!

If you like the example of the meal plan above, then we've provided a helpful shopping list to go with it. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on family size. Also, definitely feel free to adjust some of the food items in the meal plan according to special diets advised by your healthcare provider, for allergy reasons, or your taste buds!

Don't hesitate to reach out to a fellow member for guidance. Remember, we're in this together!

WEEKLY SHOPPING LIST

Produce

2 bunches--Spinach

4 to 5--Sweet potatoes

2 heads--Broccoli

4 to 5 Bell peppers (assorted colors)

1 lb.--Carrots

Pantry

1 Large canister--Rolled Oats Large canister

1 lb.--Quinoa

2 cans--Canned chickpeas

Nuts/Seeds

1 cup--Almonds or Sunflower Seeds

Condiments

1 bottle--Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Nut-free option: Replace almonds with pumpkin seeds

WEEK 1

Produce

2--Eggplant

1 lb.--Brussels sprouts

1 bunch--Fresh herbs (cilantro/parsley)

Pantry

1 cup--Sunflower seeds

1 small packet--Saffron threads

Frozen

1 bag--Peas

WEEK 3

Produce

1 head--Cauliflower

1 bunch-- Radishes

1 bunch--Fresh basil

2--Eggplant

3--Zucchini

6--Fresh figs

Pantry

1 can--Coconut milk

1 small jar--Kalamata olives

1 cup--Walnuts

Spices

1 small jar--Moroccan spice blend

WEEK 2

BUY ONCE FOR ALL WEEKS

Pantry

8 oz.--Chia seeds

1 bottle--Balsamic vinegar

1 jar--Tahini

Spices

1 small jar--Cinnamon