Wednesday, February 18th to Sunday, March 29th
Triumph Church's 40 days of prayer & fasting
Click here to access the electronic version of our 2026 Prayer & Fasting Devotional Guide.
WHY FAST?
BIBLICAL FASTING
Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.
Joel 1:14
1. Jesus fasted.
Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted forty days. He knew He was going to need spiritual strength to fulfill His purpose. Fasting makes us physically weak but spiritually strong and prepares us to do God’s work.
- Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. ~ Matthew 4:1-2
- Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the whole countryside. ~ Luke 4:14
2. Fasting is an act of humility and consecration.
- . . . I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. . . .~ Psalm 35:13
Humility results in the grace of God. When we humble ourselves in prayer, we have instant access to the heart of God. As we deny ourselves as an act of consecration, we are able to exercise self-control. We can keep our emotions and desires under control.
3. Fasting helps us become sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
- While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ~ Acts 13:2
When we deny ourselves of our natural cravings, our spiritual antennas become sharper. We become more sensitive to His voice as we divest ourselves of worldly distractions. We are better able to focus on God and submit to His will. This opens the door for the Holy Spirit into our lives.
4. Fasting brings revival.
- . . . in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. ~ Daniel 9:2-3
Fasting helps us prevail in prayer and intercession. Daniel understood that Israel was headed for destruction. He also knew that in times like these, there is only one recourse – intercession through praying and fasting. Throughout human history, God has brought revival and delivered nations from destruction in response to prayer and fasting.
5. Fasting is healthy.
Fasting cleanses your digestive system from toxins. Doctors consider fasting a cure for certain allergies and diseases. By learning to deny ourselves and exercising discipline, fasting breaks unhealthy addictions in our lives.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What about prepared foods?
Read the labels of all prepared foods. Remember, the Daniel Fast is sugar-free and chemical-
free. If you use any canned fruits, vegetables, packaged foods, or prepared sauces, you must
read the label to be aware of all ingredients.
What about pasta?
Make sure the label says whole grain pasta with no additives. (Watch for sugar.) Whole grain
pasta offers 7 grams of protein per serving (3/4 cup of dried pasta).
What about salad dressing?
Olive oil and lemon or lime are an option. You may also try looking for organic options at your
local grocer.
What about nuts? I know it says raw, unsalted nuts, but what about roasted nuts?
The goal would be to stick to raw, unsalted nuts, but these are harder to find. In a pinch, just
make sure you get plain roasted, unsalted nuts with no preservatives.
How do I get enough protein in my diet while on the fast?
The following protein-rich foods are allowed on the Daniel Fast: almonds, sunflower seeds,
lentils, quinoa, brown rice, split peas, whole grains, and tofu.
What kind of peanut butter is allowed?
A natural peanut butter with no additives. Watch for sugars including molasses. Smucker's
creamy natural peanut butter has nothing but peanuts in it.
How can I identify whole grain foods?
Typically, if the ingredient lists “whole wheat,” “rolled oats,” or “whole corn” as the first
ingredient, the product is a whole grain food item. Another way to identify whole grains in the
foods you eat is to look at the nutritional facts information and check to see if the food item
contains dietary fiber. If it contains a significant amount, it most likely contains whole grains.
“Wheat flour” is not a whole grain and therefore does not indicate a whole grain product.
Do I need to eat organic foods while on the fast?
No, but it is suggested because organic foods are produced without the use of feed or fertilizer of
plant or animal origin and without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth
stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.
Where can I go out to eat?
You can go anywhere. Order cautiously and ask questions of the wait staff. You may have to
order a salad with olive oil and a baked potato with no extras.
What about bread?
We recommend the Ezekiel bread found in the freezer section of your grocery / health food store.
You may also eat Whole Wheat Bread.
How much can I eat?
We recommend eating until satisfied with no limits as long as you eat the appropriate foods.
