The Daniel Fast
21 Days of Intimacy With God
January 5–26
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” —
James 4:8
Day 1 – Desire
Scripture: Psalm 27:4
“The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to
live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Devotional Thought:
God honors hunger for Him. This fast begins not with discipline,
but desire. More than answers, breakthroughs, or
outcomes—our greatest need is His presence.
Prayer:
Lord, I come to You not to prove anything, but because I want
You. Awaken my desire for Your presence above all else.
Day 2 – Invitation
Scripture: Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Devotional Thought:
God does not drive us toward Him—He invites us. Intimacy
begins when we respond to His welcome, not our effort.
Prayer:
God, thank You for inviting me closer. Help me respond without
fear, striving, or comparison.
Day 3 – Surrender
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your
own understanding.”
Devotional Thought:
Surrender is not loss—it is trust. As we release control, we make
room for God to lead us more deeply.
Prayer:
I lay down control, expectations, and outcomes. Teach me to
trust You with what I release.
Day 4 – Awareness
Scripture: Psalm 16:11
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your
presence.”
Devotional Thought:
God is already near. Today is about becoming aware of what is
already true.
Prayer:
Open my eyes to Your nearness today. Help me notice You in
ordinary moments.
Day 5 – Listening
Scripture: John 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Devotional Thought:
Listening requires stillness. God often speaks softly, not because
He is distant, but because He is close.
Prayer:
Quiet the noise within me. Train my heart to recognize Your
voice.
Day 6 – Honesty
Scripture: Psalm 62:8
“Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”
Devotional Thought:
God invites our honesty—not our pretending. Intimacy grows
where truth is welcomed.
Prayer:
I bring my whole self to You—my faith, my doubts, my
questions. Meet me here.
Day 7 – Rest
Scripture: Hebrews 4:9–10
“There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.”
Devotional Thought:
Rest is an act of trust. Today, let go of guilt and learn God’s
pace.
Prayer:
Teach me to rest in You without guilt. Let my soul learn Your
pace.
Day 8 – Cleansing
Scripture: Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
Devotional Thought:
God cleanses gently and lovingly. He removes what hinders
closeness, not to shame us—but to free us.
Prayer:
Search my heart, Lord. Gently remove anything that hinders
closeness with You.
Day 9 – Hunger
Scripture: Matthew 5:6
“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
Devotional Thought:
Physical hunger can awaken spiritual awareness. Let it remind
you of your deeper need for God.
Prayer:
Let my physical hunger remind me of my deeper need for You.
Day 10 – Dependence
Scripture: John 15:5
“Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Devotional Thought:
Dependence is not weakness—it is wisdom. God delights in our
reliance on Him.
Prayer:
I confess my need for You today. I cannot do this life apart from
Your grace.
Day 11 – Joy
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Devotional Thought:
Joy flows from relationship, not obligation. God desires our
delight in Him.
Prayer:
Restore the joy of walking with You. Let delight replace duty.
Day 12 – Alignment
Scripture: Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s
desires.”
Devotional Thought:
As we delight in God, our desires begin to reflect His heart.
Prayer:
Bring my thoughts, desires, and decisions into alignment with
Your heart.
Day 13 – Trust
Scripture: Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you.”
Devotional Thought:
Peace grows where trust is practiced. Even when answers are
unclear, God remains faithful.
Prayer:
Help me trust You with what I cannot see, fix, or control.
Day 14 – Gratitude
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Be thankful in all circumstances.”
Devotional Thought:
Gratitude opens our eyes to God’s ongoing work.
Prayer:
Thank You for how You have already been faithful. I choose
gratitude today.
Day 15 – Love
Scripture: Romans 5:5
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts.”
Devotional Thought:
Love is the evidence of intimacy. As we receive His love, it
overflows to others.
Prayer:
Fill me with Your love—first for You, then for others.
Day 16 – Freedom
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:17
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Devotional Thought:
God’s presence breaks chains—especially the invisible ones.
Prayer:
Break any patterns of striving, shame, or fear. Lead me into
freedom.
Day 17 – Obedience
Scripture: John 14:15
“If you love me, obey my commandments.”
Devotional Thought:
Obedience is love expressed, not duty imposed.
Prayer:
Teach me joyful obedience that flows from love, not obligation.
Day 18 – Renewal
Scripture: Romans 12:2
“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way
you think.”
Devotional Thought:
God renews us from the inside out—thoughts, desires, and
identity.
Prayer:
Renew my mind and refresh my spirit. Make me new again.
Day 19 – Perseverance
Scripture: Galatians 6:9
“Do not grow weary in doing good.”
Devotional Thought:
God is working even when progress feels quiet.
Prayer:
Strengthen me to continue seeking You even when it feels slow.
Day 20 – Communion
Scripture: Revelation 3:20
“I stand at the door and knock.”
Devotional Thought:
God desires closeness more than consistency. He is always
inviting us deeper.
Prayer:
Thank You that You desire closeness with me. Draw me deeper
still.
Day 21 – Continuation
Scripture: Philippians 3:10
“I want to know Christ.”
Devotional Thought:
This fast is not an ending—it’s a beginning.
Prayer:
Lord, do not let this end with the fast. Teach me to walk with
You daily.