Starting the New Year with extended prayer and fasting is an opportunity for all believers to press into God and seek His will, His wisdom, and His power. And it’s an excellent time to start 2017 in a journey of faith that can set our course for the rest of the year. Plus, as you experience the fast, you can develop your faith and strengthen those spiritual muscles.
The New Year Fast 2017 is your invitation to put God first in all you do and allow Him to impact your life. You can begin 2017 on the sure foot of faith and seek Him with your heart. And you can set yourself on the path to develop your faith and draw nearer to God.
You’re Invited
I invite you to join me and thousands of other Christians from around the world to start the New Year with extended prayer and fasting. This fast and gathering of believers is called Your Journey in Faith. And over our time of preparation, fasting, and follow-up, you can grow and exercise your faith for answered prayer and a deeper experience with the Lord.
I hope you’ll enter this powerful time with us and start the New Year 2017 with your eyes looking to God and your heart open to His love and direction. Enter into a personal journey as you walk in the Spirit and live by faith.
Daniel Fast 2017
Your Journey in Faith
January 8 – 28, 2017 *
* Is there an official start date for the New Year fast?
Most people will start the New Year fast on Sunday, January 8th. However, if you or your church start another day, that’s totally fine! Whatever date you are called to begin is perfect for you.
Just click HERE or on the image below to receive all the free information about the Daniel Fast and for your invitation to complimentary lessons, videos, how-to’s, fasting and faith tips, our private Facebook Group, our new weekly Faith Driven Life podcast, and much more.
Join our community of believers to share your experience, seek and offer prayer, trade recipes, and grow together in faith as you begin the New Year 2017 with extended prayer and fasting. Just click the image below:
Our church is using the materials from the 2017 fast, if we register now would we have access to those or just the materials for 2018?
Is there a 2018 dates available ?
Hi Kristina,
Yes, the New Year Fast using the Daniel Fast begin at sunrise on Sunday, January 7th and concludes at sunrise on Saturday, January 27th.
We’ll be sending information out next week . . .
Be blessed.
Hi Susan, Should I gain weight before fasting for 40 days? I am 5 for 4 in tall and around 125 lbs. I have faith the Lord will sustain me but I was wondering an opinion from someone experienced.
Is there a right and wrong time for the Daniel fast? Am thinking October 2017!
The Daniel Fast is a method of fasting. So anytime you are led to fast for a longer period of time, it would be great!
Be blessed!
I am on day 7 and I lost everything off my computer because I pushed the wrong button again. I have all the single page lessons just not the daily video. I want you to know that at day six I got very sick with a cold in my eyes. Now I can just barley read. The videos helped. You would not believe how my computer is acting up.
Hi Jill.
You can find all the videos at this link: http://faithdrivenlife.com/danielfast.
Be blessed (and I hope your computer gets better)!
Good Morning ,
Im starting with the fast on the 1st of March , is there any guidance you can give me and scriptures to read whilst I am doing this fast?
Yes, you can get this book on Kindle: The Daniel Fast Devotional for Lent
Hi what if I am fasting and accidentally eat something I thought was ok to eat and then came to realize it wasn’t. Do I have to start over ? I feel as though it was done without malintention it would be ok to continue. Could you share your thought on this?
Hi Elizabeth,
Read this post, it has the answer: Ooops!
The Journey video emails stopped 2 days ago. Is there a technical problem? Is there any way to get them started up again?
Thanks, Lynn
You can find them at http://faithdrivenlife.com/danielfast
Can I eat post Shredded Wheat the original according to the Box ingredients it says it has BHT in the packaging I know BHT is not allowed but this is in the packaging does that make a difference thank you
Yes, Shredded Wheat made of whole wheat and not sweeteners or chemicals is allowed.
Thanks you for the answer. however the BHT is listed as part of the packaging. those this mean that I cannot eat the Original Shredded Wheat.
Hi,
Can I have a almond milk with my cereal?
Yes, unsweetened almond milk is allowed on the Daniel Fast.
Good Morning
i have start with fasting on Monday , i would like to know can i would eat pop corns and also what types of smooths are good in this fasting
Yes, you can have popcorn if it’s popped with air or oil (no chemicals like in many microwave popcorn brands).
Smoothies as liquid meals are allowed using fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and unsweetened plant-based milk is allowed.
Why is it the closer I get to completing my Daniel fast the harder its getting on Day 16 and struggling???
The enemy is not pleased with your growth. How can he prevent you from getting stronger in your faith? By putting obstacles before you!
Laugh at him. Move on. You have victory in Christ. Resist the devil and he is required to flee from you! He is a defeated foe.
Read this: Three Forces Trying to Steal Your Success on the Daniel Fast
Thank You
Thank you Susan,Today is the 1st day doing the Daniel fast for the 1st time,I pray Gods strength to see me through as my goal this year is to have a closer,deeper walk with the Lord..and let his will be done in my life .Amen
Praise God. He is there for you always!
Hello Everyone,
This is my 2nd time doing the Daniel Fast and I can testify to the truth of God through this process. Besides the benefits of the food, the purpose of this process is to establish a closer relationship with God, your master designer and to see the truth of God’s goodness unfold in your life. I have seen great spiritual benefits of this process and as I open myself to be revealed by God once more, I will pray for your blessing as you pray for mine.
To all, do not forget the real purpose of this journey – to strengthen your faith.
Shalom!
Hi Susan
I have signed up to receive the Daniel fast kit for some reason nothing has been emailed. Please help as I had to use someone else email address to receive first Daniel fast lesson plan but it is inconvenient.
Hi Coral,
Have you checked your “junk mail” folder? Our records show that we’ve sent many emails to your email address, however they are all unopened. Check so see if they landed in your junk mail folder by mistake and be sure to approve our email address so you receive what we send.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Jaimie and this will be my first time doing a fast. I really wanted to do something about bad food choices I’ve been making, plus I was wanting to have a closer relationship with my creator. I will be starting my fast tomorrow, January 8. I am really excited to get started and get help through the Holy Spirit with better food choices. Not to mention praying/reading more. God Bless everyone who is starting fast this new year. May God bless all of you
Sincerely,
Jaimie
Glad you’re with us, Jaimie. Be blessed on your fast.
Susan,
I will begin my second Daniel fast tomorrow. I really loved my first experience! Besides Ezekiel cereal, what other kind is Daniel fast approved?
Wendy Bassett
My favorite is Bob’s Red Mill Muesli with unsweetened soy or almond milk and dried or fresh fruit.
Hi Susan, you mentioned on the website and videos that mueslis’ are allowed I l have been looking around for them in UK but most of them even the ones that claim to have no added sugar have cane sugar and skimmed milk as part of the ingredients. Will that make them unsuitable for the fast. Thanks
Edna, those would be unsuitable. However, you should be able to find muesli at a local health food store. It’s very common here. It’s a mixture of whole grains and dried fruit and nuts. You can even make your own!
I hope this helps.
Hey Susan, I’ll be joining the fast this year from the 8th to the 28th of January. I am super excited and expectant. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do on my behalf. However, I need your clarity on a few things: (1) is sweet corn allowed on the Daniel Fast?; and (2) am I allowed to drink 100% fruit juice with my meals?
Yes, you can eat fresh sweet corn. And no, the only beverage on the fast is water, so no juice.
Hi Susan
Do we break the fast on the 28th or 29th?
It is my first time I am doing the fast and I am appreciating it so much. Thank you for your daily readings. They are a blessing.
The fast concludes at sundown on January 28th.
Thank you for getting back to me. I appreciate it.
I will be doing the fast for the 5th time this year. 2016 was such a rough year for me, and I feel it was because I stopped involving God, by prayer in things I did. I cannot wait to reconnect with Him and be consistent even after the fast. Thank you for your wonderful articles.
Thank you, Lord, for always opening your arms to us when we turn to you.
Be blessed on your fast.
A lot of people are doing the Daniel fast but they are eating seafood, can you do that? I would think unsweetened tea and all natural teas are okay to do on the fast. I know people who have drink tea on the fast before. Is it okay to eat the veggie sausage on the Daniel Fast? Looking forward to trying some of these recipes on the fast. Here is a snack idea: Mixed popcorn with raisins and pecans.
I am exciting about starting the Daniel Fast on Sunday. I am expecting great and mighty things to happen in my life this year.
Ready to start this fast – alongside my church family who are all fasting January 8-28. Does anyone know if smoothies are allowed – as long as they only have the ingredients listed? Also, thank you Ms. Gregory for sharing this with so many people. I look forward to growing closer to Christ and becoming dependent on Him.
Hi Lindsey,
Yes, smoothies are allowed as liquid meals. And as you stated, use only ingredients allowed on the fast.
Be blessed!
I am so excited. My church started this fast yesterday. I have never in my life done anything like this, but I am expecting ALL God has for me. GREATER 2017!
Praise God for what He is already doing for you. Expect great things, put your faith in Him, and He will deliver! That’s His promise to us!
Be blessed
I started my journey today I have tried it before and had some unsuccessful times. I am working on my relationship with Christ and figured this fresh start and completing it this time will be a big accomplishment for me. This is my first year following Susan Gregory and so far feel as though this journey through my fast will be much better than the past attempts. I have also incorporated a really good friend to embark on this journey with me he has the strongest faith I know for our age group and he has fasted in the past and can help keep me focused. I must say so far the reading about am I fasting for food or faith helped curb that urge I had to go out and buy a bunch of food to feed the flesh with substitutions that are fullfilling.
Praise God! He is delighted that you long for Him.
I am so glad you’ve joined us.
Be blessed!
First time joining the fast encouraged by my sister shared the vision with my friend. will start on the 8th January. My church not participating will appreciate prayer list for guidance.
Praise God!
Be blessed on your fast.
God bless the body of Christ as we embark on this noble journey. I started the fast on the 2nd January with my husband.This is my first time and through God’s grace I believe I will manage.
Day 3 of my fast. It’s the seventh time I’m following the fast, but it’s my first time doing it on the first 21 days of the new year. As my fasting co-incides with the peak of our South African summer, I am preparing salads, soups and light curries. Long summer days also allow more time in God’s presence. As we are fasting in our different corners of the world, may God use each of us to move in spheres that will cause powerful change in our nations. God bless you all, wherever you are.
Praise the Lord, Rhoda!
Most people who do the Daniel Fast are from the U.S. And then the second country is South Africa! So welcome and be blessed on your fast!
By the way, soak up some warm sun for me! It’s -7 C where I live. So cold. Brrr 🙂
I started 1 Jan 2017… So desperate for God the resources have been helpful thank you feel so heart broken and disappointed by life my choices and myself need to get back into Gods will and purposes for me life… In a very heart broken difficult place trusting to see the light … Have such a sad feeling of darkness all around me…
Shamiso, it’s a New Year and God’s mercies are new every morning. Put your past in your rear view mirror. Focus on the love of Christ. And walk in the Spirit. Let this be a time of transformation for you.
Also, read this message of truth and let it soak into your heart: God Searched for You
I started yesterday. God bless you and the entire community
Blessings to you, Jovita!
My church always starts on January 1st. I need to get your book. God bless you and the entire community!
My church started our fast on yesterday, so excited about what God is doing in this New Year!
Expect great things and keep leaning into God!
Be blessed!
May God continue to bless and keep you for your service to the Kingdom! I started today. Believing God for a closer walk with Him.
I started today too. 🙂
good luck to you.
AWESOME…Blessed to have additional tools through this site…looking forward to a closer walk with the Lord
Hi! My church as a whole is not participating and I cannot find anyone who is interested in doing the fast starting January 8th. Is there a way to find people local to me who are doing it as well? Or is there a group online for those who are fasting to encourage, support and pray for one another? I know for me, accountability is huge and I’m scared about embarking on this by myself!
Blessings!
Jennifer
Yes, join with us, Jennifer. You can connect with people in a Facebook Group that will be opened tomorrow.
Hi Susan, I would love to join the Facebook group. Where would I find it?
Here is the link: Daniel Fast Private Facebook Group
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I pray that you find someone to fast with. The grace of God be with your spirit throughout this fast God richly bless you in Jesus name🙏🏾
I will be participating in the 2017 daniel fast & prayer. Its my first. Glory to God for this opportunity to spend the begining of 2017 in His presents.
I am excited about the fast, I am looking forward to growing closer to the Lord.
I am preparing for the fast starting Jan. 2nd as this is when my church starts. I don’t always do the fast, or I fast just a few things, like sweets and soda, etc. This year I want to do the entire fast. I’m ashamed to admit that a road block for me is I concentrate on the food aspect and very little on praying and reading my Bible. This is something I want to conquer starting this year. Do you have any advice and would you pray that I’ll incorporate the spiritual aspect of the fast with less of a struggle? Thank you and God bless you for all that you do!
Hi Laurel,
Recognize that you are in a battle between your spirit and your flesh. And then make your victory part of your fasting focus. Read scriptures about walking in the Spirit and not the flesh. About being spiritually mature rather than carnally minded. And draw near to God.
Also, read this post “Food or Faith” and also this one: Has the Daniel Fast been Hijacked?
You can do this! You have the same Spirit living inside of you that raised Jesus from the dead! Engage with the Spirit of God and you will have victory.
Thank you for your reply. I recognize that I am facing this battle. I’ve already overcome a hurdle by admitting it. You see, I have a fear of failure in this realm and have put up a wall so I don’t have to face it. I do love the Lord but I think some things that I’ve experienced lately have caused questions that I can’t completely “lay to rest” so to speak. This fast will be about conquering this fear and I am going to bring that wall down, with God’s help!! I will read the articles you recommended. Thank you for your encouragement and wisdom. I thank God for people like you who allow Him to use you in such a precious way!!!!
Laurel,
This is the 3rd year I am doing the DF. My church starts tomorrow, therefore, I will be a week ahead of those starting on the 8th.
The first year that I did it, I focused a lot on the food, only because I had to learn a different way of eating. But I also made sure that I did my prayer time, followed my church’s 21 prayer list, and remembered that if I wanted God to bless me, I had to SHOW Him that I was serious about submitting to Him. Of course I came up against some obstacles………that was satan at work. Any time we get closer to God, satan works over time in an effort to take us away. But with every challenge, I had to remember who was behind that challenge…………and with every blessing, I had to remember who was behind that too. With that said, I would “visualize” God sitting on my left shoulder (closest to my heart) and satan sitting on my right shoulder. Whenever I would feel a challenge or a temptation in front of me, I would mentally lean towards my left shoulder so I could feel God giving me strength not to go the other way. Believe it or not, that worked.
About the 3rd day in to it, I was at work and feeling a sugar-withdrawal headache coming on. I quietly prayed to God, asking Him to take it away. Instantly, that headache was gone and never came back. I smiled because God was showing me how close to me He was and giving me the strength, once again, to keep going. By the end of the 21 days, I didn’t want to stop so I kept going for 2 more days. The blessings and the answers I received were AMAZING, something that can’t be described or explained. And by me showing God how serious I was to submitting to Him, He kept answering prayers in a more deep way for the rest of the year.
This year, I am going to continue doing the mental vision of God on my left shoulder but I am also going to add one more thing. If I am tempted, let’s say by sugar for example, I am going to ask myself, “If you had to stand before God right now, are you ready to confess that sugar meant more to you than God did at that moment? The sugar and the craving for it is temporary, God is permanent. ”
I am sorry this is so long but really hope it helps. Have faith in God, because God has nothing but LOVE for you!!!
Thanks for your post, Joyce. I’m sure your testimony will help others.
Be blessed on your fast.
I love this testamony and I believe God wanted me to see it Thanks for sharing! I’m all in this year
Hi Joyce,
I don’t know if you’ll see this since it’s been a while since you posted it. I’m so glad I went back to look today and see if anyone else posted because your story and idea of picturing God on your left shoulder and Satan on your right is very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to Reply as it has helped me and I’m sure it has helped others that have come to this site. Susan’s site is the only one I go to about the fast as I know all that she posts is of God:) I feel I’m doing well with the fast, now more than half way into it since my Church started on 1/2/17. I’ve had cravings especially when giving my children yummy treats, but they have even been enjoying a lot of the foods my husband and I are having on the fast. I’m still trying to concentrate more on Bible reading and prayer than I ever have in the past since I still feel that God has so much more for me that I’m not reaching for quite yet. I hope your fast and prayer is going along well too! Thank you again and God bless you always.
Laurel
I’m from Kenya and my heart desired to start the new year in prayers and I feel that I need to seek to be in the presence of God in humility ,I need spiritual revival. I want a new me. Father I come as I am.
My family & I are ready to start. This will be our 6th year of fasting. Please pray for us , that we will live out our purpose and that our lives will be pleasing in his sight. We will do the same for you all. Blessings and peace
Praise God! Be blessed on your fast.
I am excited to be joining the Daniel Fast again!
Thanks for the invite. This is certainly an important area that I have strongly desired to do, but have not been steadfast. I am so excited, this is my first Daniel fast and I pray that God will be pleased with our efforts to draw closer to Him. I need to do this for sooo many reasons. I will pray you, please pray for me.
Welcome to the community of believers.
Be blessed!
I’m so excited to begin the fast this year. I was just diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. This is my third round of cancer. I started at the age of 17. The original cancer was treated with radiation. Then several years later I got breast cancer from the treatments. It’s been 12 years and now they found it metastasized to my lung and bones. They deliver a poor prognosis. God has delivered me many times. Have a new heart valve and many other surgeries. Also list my 9 year old son with cancer. My mom is dealintg with it too. I have a 4 year old son I adopted 3 years ago and I’m believing for a total healing to raise this little boy. Also praying for salvation and renewal for my adult children. Healing for my mother. Would love to be a part of this fasting community and anyone doing small groups online. Praying for ALL of you also
You and your family are in our prayers for complete healing. Praise God for His goodness and truth.
Be blessed on your fast.
This is my first time to do Daniel fast. I’m looking forward to have a closer walk with the Lord, deliverance for my children and household salvation. Iam hungering for God the living God.
This will be my first Daniel fast. I’m looking for a great change in my life and my family’s life. My greatest desire is to become the woman that God has called me to be and to do His will and His will alone. I am a mess and I need Him more than ever.
Praying with you!
I would love to be added as well ❤
Just click on the link on the right sidebar and you’ll be added. Welcome!
So excited this will be my second year. Hopefully I will get closer to understanding the Lord’s will for me and my son’s. Hopefully during this time the Lord will heal all that is broken or at least show me the lessons so that I can can use them to bless someone else. Amen
This will be my 43rd January Fast. I am blessed to participate in the 2017 Daniel Fast with my brothers and sisters from so many places. I love the Daniel Fast and has quickly become my favorite method. The Spiritual and Health benefits have been tremendous. Thank you and may His will be done and May God be glorified this January with eternal significance.
Looking forward to a time of refreshing with the Lord
Thank you for the invite, I look forward to participating in the Daniel Fast every year! It allows me grow closer to Christ!
I am praying for clarity where my marriage, and career goals are concern during my Daniel fast this year.
Please keep me in prayer.
Ethel Canady
This will be my first time doing the fast, but I know God will manifest everything he has promised to us and build our faith even the more. I am so excited.
I’m excited to be part of this fast for the first time. Thank you.
I really need an overhaul of my entire life…spirit, soul and body…I pray that this will at least get me on the right track. I’m going to do this Daniel Fast for my own heart and life and ask God to help me become a blessing to someone else.
Same here 🙂 A total renewal needed.
This will be my first Daniel Fast – I tried a few months ago but failed. I allowed my difficult circumstances to get in the way. Those have not changed, sadly, but I want to overcome them this time.
Looking forward to being part of this prayer community :-). Thank you, Susan, for leading us in this.
My wife and I will be joining you all. Thank you for the encouraging resources. This will be our second Daniel fast; we did our first in the fall.
I’m excited about the fast, joining with the the Body of Christ, may our God bless each and everyone of us in Jesus name Amen. ONE LOVE SAINTS
Praise God, Joe!
I am so excited, also. God is putting amazing things on my heart to share with you and others! He wants us strong in and for Him!
Be blessed!
This is my second year doing Daniel Fast with Susan Gregory. It was a real blessing last year. Looking forward to see what the Lord has in store this year. Blessings!!!
Praise God! He is so good and longs to reveal even more of Himself to us and for us!
So glad you will be with us!
This will be my 4th New Year fast following Susan Gregory’s Daniel Fast books. Thank you for writing both books, The Daniel Fast (feed your soul, strengthen your spirit, and renew your body), and The Daniel Fast Workbook ( companion to the Daniel fast book). The first year I only had the Daniel Fast Book then I found out about the workbook. If you have not purchased the workbook, I strongly recommend getting it. It has enhanced my experience in ways I could not have imagined. May God continue to bless Susan for she has truly been a blessing to others. Thank you Susan.
Blessings to you, Lisa!
Thank you for your post. My hope is that people will experience the amazing benefits that the Lord provides as we engage in extended prayer and fasting. I am so glad you have.
Praising God for you!
I am in! Can’t wait to get started!
God bless you for your ministry! I have your book and look forward to starting the new year in prayer and fasting!