Schedule | - 4:31 pm
Understand What the Fast of Daniel Is and Follow the Step-By-Step Process to Achieve Your Spiritual Goal
On November 25th, Bishop Macedo shared during the Morning Meditation:
“You know that in the Garden of Eden, man handed his life over to the devil on a silver platter, this world to the devil. But in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus gave His soul so that He could save your soul, so that you could begin a new life—but an eternal life.”
He then added:
“Don’t forget that in addition to going down to the Garden of Gethsemane, we will be observing the Fast of Daniel, from December 10 to the 31…”
To learn more, please read “Gethsemane: A Place of Revelation.”
The Fast of Daniel is a time for those who wish to draw closer to God. It is based on the purpose outlined by the prophet Daniel, specifically in the biblical book of Daniel, chapters 1 and 10.
For three weeks, Daniel fasted to come closer to God and to gain favor, wisdom, and understanding from the Almighty. He refrained from consuming pleasurable foods or anything associated with Babylon, a city symbolizing the sinful spirit of this world.
He found himself in a place that symbolized spiritual impurity, yet he didn’t belong there (neither in terms of mentality, diet, or behavior).
We live in a world that often opposes the Divine mindset. However, we are merely foreigners and exiles until we reach the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Peter 2:11). We are only passing through here.
If you desire to live with God for all eternity, why not start living as a citizen of Heaven here on Earth? How can someone claim they wish to reside in the Divine Kingdom if, in the present moment, they live far from that ideal? This inconsistency can be seen as hypocritical.
Salvation in the Lord Jesus is a result of the choices we make during our earthly lives, which determine the fate of our eternal souls—whether in Heaven or face condemnation.
Therefore, the Fast of Daniel serves as a period of self-evaluation, allowing us to reflect on our true spiritual condition, abandon practices and mindsets that are contrary to biblical teachings, and draw closer to God. Ultimately, it is about continuing along the path of sanctification.
To achieve this, we must silence the distractions of the world found in media, social networks, and other noisy environments. In the desert, we hear only the voice of God and our conscience.
The Bible also states:
And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 John 4:3)
The main goal of the Fast of Daniel is to receive the Holy Spirit (or to maintain His presence in our lives, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 6:19). The Word of God reminds us:
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)
How can the Holy Spirit dwell within us if we do not align ourselves with Him?
Thus, the Holy Spirit resides in those who are submissive to His voice and prioritize Him in their lives above all.
To make room for His presence, we must “clean the house,” be sincere before God, and, if needed, build an altar within ourselves, stone by stone. These 21 days serve that purpose.
The Fast of Daniel is an opportunity for you to draw closer to God, start afresh in your relationship with Him, or strengthen the relationship you already have with Him.
• For 21 days, abstain from secular entertainment, secular music, and news (unless it is work-related). These distractions can steer you away from your purpose, which is to heed God’s voice. Like Daniel, who refrained from indulging in delicacies and the Babylonian mentality, you will abstain from consuming content that pleases the flesh and aligns with a worldly mindset.
• Replace those activities with actions that nurture your spiritual growth. Connect with God through prayer, read the Bible more, and seek out Christian content that nourishes your faith. During December, we are meditating on the Book of Isaiah 31-66.
• Participate in as many days as possible of church services. The Universal Church is open daily with services every day. You may text 1-888-312-4141 for more information.
We suggest the Universal Online Radio app available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. You may also visit the Universal Online Radio web app by clicking here.
Connect with God by reading and meditating on the Bible more often. In addition, consider reading a blog or a book that nurtures your faith while reflecting on the Bible references mentioned there.
Some Suggestions:
• Bishop Macedo’s Blog
• Bishop Bira Joshua’s Blog
• Book: In the Footsteps of Jesus
• Book: The Holy Spirit
• Book: Here I Am, Lord!
• Book: George Müller: An Example of Faith and Trust
• Book: The Secrets and Mysteries of the Soul
• Book: The World Will Burn
• You may join Bishop Bira Joshua’s Official Telegram Channel for daily video messages and prayers of faith.
• The Univer Video platform offers a variety of media content of faith, which aligns with your purpose during the Fast of Daniel.
• On ULFN, we recommend viewing any of the following:
• Showdown of Faith
• Psalms in Concert
• The Unseen Enemy
• The Spiritual Journey
• Ask the Pastor
During this fast, you may watch films, series, and documentaries that promote a closer relationship with God. However, be careful to spend only some of your time watching videos.
Do not occupy all your time watching videos or listening to Christian music. The goal of this fast is for you to build a stronger relationship with God.
While the prophet Daniel observed dietary restrictions, we must not forget the primary goal of his actions: seeking communion with God and detaching from worldly distractions. More than a physical fast, it was a spiritual fast.
Do not get caught up in mere “rituals.” It is essential to grasp the true meaning of this purpose.
In today’s world, where “information” is so valuable that we spend money and time to acquire it, can we not consider it a form of “food” for our souls? Thus, an “information fast” can be seen as a legitimate type of fasting.
The goal is to nourish your soul with God’s Word and Spirit.
The Fast of Daniel will begin on Wednesday, December 10th, and will be completed on the New Year’s Eve Night Vigil, December 31st.
The Universal Church is open every day. In addition to the Sunday service at 10 AM, there are special meetings every Wednesday at 10 AM, 4 PM, and 7 PM. These meetings are designed to strengthen our spiritual lives and seek the Holy Spirit.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious beliefs or background. Come as you are. For more information, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141.
If you live in a city without one of our locations or cannot commute due to health reasons, we invite you to join our Virtual Church via Zoom and phone conference.
