As we look at lessons from the life of Daniel, Pastor Lisa shows us how Daniel was mindful about what he consumed and prioritized prayer. Together, fasting and prayer bring spiritual breakthrough. This New Year, we’re not chasing resolutions- We’re pursuing God!
Notes 📓✏️:
First week: 23% quit
First month: 64% quit
Only 10% have long-term success
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
1 John 4:4
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.”
Romans 8:11
Instead of Babylon shaping him… God shaped Babylon through him.
Daniel’s patterns revealed his priorities.
“Look for patterns, not potential.”
Patterns reveal priorities
If my patterns point to my priorities, what do I prioritize?
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1). He was selective about what he consumed (fasting)
“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites… He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.”
Daniel 1:3-5 (NIV)
“Please test [us] for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days, they [Daniel and his friends] looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”
Daniel 1:12-15 (NIV)
We are not earthly beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience.
1). You’re in alignment with Jesus
Matthew 6:16…Jesus is teaching his disciples about fasting and says “WHEN you fast…”
2). It increases your focus/clarity
“Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 (NIRV)
3). It creates a spiritual quickness
4). It is essential for spiritual breakthrough
Fasting disconnects us from the world. Prayer connects us to God.
5). Daniel consistently prioritized prayer
“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Daniel 6:10
Prayer wasn’t Daniel’s last resort — it was his first response.
“So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
Daniel 6:16-23