Daniel Fast – Journal

As you know My husband and I have been on the Daniel Fast sine 1 January. I can say that it hasn’t been easy – particularly on the food front. I have had every sort of craving under the sun – even for things I haven’t eaten in a while like goat meat! Yes – goat!!! I also admit that I had good intentions in making some popcorn for the family – and I kinda ate the whole bag by myself – not my finest hour that one! My poor husband came downstairs having being lured by the smell – only to find an empty bag. Sorry hubby… Scheduling time for joint family prayer at the start of the week was not easy either – we’ve either overslept or gone to bed at different times. We are working on it and have managed to pray together once a day. Now we need to get our schedule sorted. So, there have been a few bumps on the road however, we are soldiering on.

Speaking on prayer here’s some of the thoughts that came to me this week:

1. Keep it simple (aka the KIS theory)! – I had a revelation after reading Matthew 6:7-13 MSG “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.” Did you see that?  We try to impress God with our elaborate prayers and we are still none the wiser. A simple, heartfelt prayer works.  I’m reminded of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10 AMP “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would indeed bless me and enlarge my border [property], and that Your hand would be with me, and You would keep me from evil so that it does not hurt me!” And God granted his request.” 
2. Ask – At times I get frustrated with my 7 year old daughter. She never says she’s hungry unless I ask. I don’t understand why she just doesn’t ask. Little one, just ask! Isn’t that the same with God?  James 4:2b AMP “You do not have because you do not ask [it of God].”  Nothing is too big or too small or silly. We are reminded in Hebrews 4:16 that we can approach God in confidence and without fear.
3. Ask in faith – If and when my daughter asks me for food – she knows I will not deny her. Now I may not give her what she wants (because if I do it would be cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner), but she knows I will feed her. I shared a little about faith on my instagram page. Our lack of faith can actually limit a limitless God. But God reminds us to approach Him like little children. Why? Because children have faith – in the simplest of terms. When they ask for something they believe they are going to get it. They don’t think about the cost, shipping etc… (if you can’t tell, I’m recovering from Christmas!). Children simply ask.
4. Ask with the right motives – Last night my daughter asked my husband to take her to bed. She prefers him to do it – not me. I guess it’s because she’s daddy’s girl (and he doesn’t really stick to my schedule for her) and I am the law enforcer – bed time is bed time unless it’s a Friday or school holiday. Yesterday, my husband was not really up for it because he’s tucked her in almost daily for 2 months. But after pleas and looks from those cute begging eyes from her, he gave in. No sooner had he agreed, that she jumped from the sofa, completely chuffed and proudly said, “I am so good at convincing people to do what I want!!” And with that my husband sat down and asked me to take her to bed. Moral of the story – James 4:3 AMP “You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.”
5. Now shut up and listen – This is one of the most difficult things for me to do. And when I’m on silent mode, I’m never too sure what to expect. If I had it my way I would want an angel to personally deliver an answer written in calligraphy on a heavenly scroll. Or a text message from a number (preferably 1-800-YOUPRAYED) that says – “This is God. Here’s your answer!” Ha! In 1 Kings 19 we find a very frustrated Elijah. He had it and wanted to have words with God. So God tells him to go to the mountain because He (God) was going to pass by. Elijah obeyed. There was a powerful wind, followed by an earthquake and then fire, but none of it was God. 1 Kings 19:12-13 THE VOICE “After the fire died out, there was nothing but the sound of a calm breeze. And through this breeze a gentle, quiet voice entered into Elijah’s ears. He covered his face with his cloak and went to the mouth of the cave.” Sometimes I think that the prophets from the old testament days had a better deal than us. But you know what? As long as we are close to the Shepherd we will hear Him. John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

I hope this post has been helpful to you. Writing this out in a structured way has been helpful to me and I am taking this with me to the next week.

If you want to join me for the Daniel Fast please look through my introductory posts which can be found here and here. My meal plan for last week can be found here.

I’d also love to hear from you. Get in touch by commenting below, contacting me via Instagram or emailing me at hello@s855328542.websitehome.co.uk. Also, feel free to share this post with your friends and family.

Much love and blessings

The Girl Who Wears Heels xoxo