God Will Direct Your Path

Feeling much more relaxed on Day 9. I’m beginning to grow into a routine with my spiritual and nutritional practices. This feels good and is why I felt the call to participate in this year’s Daniel Fast. I had heard about the Daniel Fast before, but did not believe it was what I was to do for my Lenten commitment. I had felt comfortable committing to a combination of writing in my journal, being led by reading Scripture and a book of meditations. Except for this year. After a series of life transitions that have left me wobbling, I decided to take a bigger or at least different steps. This is the year for fasting and praying as I seek my next step.

For over a decade, I  had set a prayer intention, a goal or focus during Lenten season. For over a decade God gave me clarity and answered my prayers at the end of my Lenten meditations.  Certainly, God answers my prayers and directs my path all the time. But, the intense focus and intense prayer of a Lenten Season fast, a Daniel Fast, places me in a more intimate conversation with God and I am more open to hearing God’s will for my next steps.

As I looked for resources about the Daniel Fast, most of the instructions I saw suggested that first we become clear about the reason for the Fast. I have copied a website’s steps to the Daniel Fast below. As I have read more about the Daniel Fast, it becomes less about the food and more about my willingness to give up my agenda and be open to God’s will for my life. That’s probably why I am becoming more focused and less anxious about the details. I can hear Jesus’ voice saying, ” Hilda, Hilda you are worried about the little things while the ones who understand are focusing on what is really important, sitting with me and hearing my voice. (paraphrase of Luke 10:38-42)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

RESOURCES

http://danielplan.com Here you can download Chapter 1 of The Daniel Plan on Rick Warren’s website and sign up for free resources.

http://danielfast.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/why-no-herbal-tea-or-100-juice/  Do you wonder why even herbal tea is not on the list for beverages?

http://lifepointnow.com/danielfast/DanielFast.pdf  Help in creating a Fasting Plan

http://www.dianedew.com/fasting.htm  Detailed list of Scriptures on fasting and frequently asked questions on fasting