When others intercede. If you are just joining us, or just beginning your fast, you can catch up on our other posts in this series, 31 Days of Fasting in January, here!

Are you falling in love with the book of Daniel? This prophet is quite a guy. Just look at what others thought about him. “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him…” Daniel 6:3 KJV.

An excellent spirit was in him. He was loved, he was trusted, and he was preferred. Other translations say “…he proved himself more capable.”

The other administrators and officers were a little bit jealous and tried to find fault with him. They could find none. They decided they would try to trip him up concerning “…his God.”

They came up with a plan, and approached King Darius, asking him to make a declaration that if anyone prayed to someone, or something, other than the king for the next 30 days they would be thrown into the den of lions.

When Daniel heard of the decree, he did what he did EVERY day: at the time of prayer he opened his window toward Jerusalem and he prayed, three times a day, just as he had always done before the decree.

Immediately, the prayer police went running to King Darius and reminded him of the decree and informed him that one certain Daniel-the-Prophet was breaking the rules.

The king was extremely upset because he was so fond of Daniel, yet he had no choice but to follow through with the consequences because rules are rules and he was the king!

As soon as they put Daniel into the den of lions, the king’s faith went into action, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”

What a great example of faith from a man who didn’t even know the God of Daniel. He believed in Daniel and so he believed in his God.

(We could stop right here and dwell on that a moment! Do others trust you so much by the life you live that they also believe in your God??)

They sealed the den with a stone, the king put his seal on it and he headed back to his palace.

So, what did he do? He went to his palace and fasted all night long. He didn’t eat, he didn’t sleep and he did not listen to music!

See the variation of fasts? No food, no sleep and no social media!

Sorry, wrong century. No music, in the king’s situation.

The next morning he ran to the den and called for Daniel, “Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:20-22 KJV.

Delivered.

Saved.

Rescued by Almighty God.

Intercession was made for Daniel by a friend. Fasting, an all-night prayer meeting by the king, and David’s life was spared.

Day after day we are finding more and more wonderful stories in the Bible, true stories of encouragement and real testimonies of how God used ordinary people to change history.

Who do you need to intercede for today; to make a difference? Remember that fasting is a sacrifice of things that you enjoy and love. You are laying them down for a period of time to FOCUS more intently on Jesus, to draw closer to Him and be freed of distractions so you might hear HIS voice. If you aren’t spending time with Him during your fast then you have done nothing but altered your diet.

Praying for you that our God will continue to strengthen you, give you peace and answer your prayers according to His will for your life.

The Daniel Fast Devotional is a great tool for ANY FAST! Devotions for 21 days, if you choose to go that long, and recipes in each chapter if you are on the Daniel Fast. Get yours on Amazon today!