Fasting is a spiritual discipline practiced throughout the Bible as a way to draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and show humility. It is often paired with prayer and devotion. Here are Bible verses to inspire and guide you in your journey of fasting.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Eating Meat
Fasting as a Way to Seek God’s Guidance
Fasting is a powerful way to seek clarity and direction from God. In times of uncertainty, people in the Bible often fasted to hear from God and align their hearts with His will. Below are some verses that highlight fasting for divine guidance.
Ezra 8:23
“So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.”
Acts 13:2
“One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.'”
Judges 20:26
“Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord and fasted until evening.”
2 Chronicles 20:3
“Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.”
Daniel 9:3
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.”
Fasting for Repentance and Humility
Fasting is often used in the Bible to express deep repentance and humility before God. It demonstrates a heartfelt acknowledgment of our sins and a desire to be reconciled with Him.
Joel 2:12
“That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.'”
Nehemiah 1:4
“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”
Jonah 3:5
“The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.”
Psalm 35:13
“Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.”
1 Samuel 7:6
“So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord.”
Fasting to Strengthen Prayer
Fasting enhances prayer by focusing our attention on God and showing our earnestness in seeking Him. These scriptures reveal the close connection between fasting and a powerful prayer life.
Matthew 17:21
“But this kind of demon won’t leave except by prayer and fasting.”
Ezra 8:21
“And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled.”
Daniel 10:3
“All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.”
Luke 2:37
“Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.”
2 Samuel 12:16
“David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground.”
Fasting to Overcome Challenges
Fasting equips us to face difficult situations with greater faith and reliance on God. It is a means of seeking God’s strength and intervention in moments of trial.
Esther 4:16
“Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same.”
Matthew 4:2
“For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.”
2 Chronicles 20:4
“So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.”
Acts 14:23
“Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord.”
Exodus 34:28
“Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water.”
Fasting for Spiritual Renewal
Fasting helps believers renew their spirit, rekindle their relationship with God, and refocus their lives on Him. It is a practice that brings refreshment and clarity to our spiritual journey.
Isaiah 58:6
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.”
Joel 1:14
“Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there.”
Isaiah 58:11
“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”
Psalm 69:10
“When I weep and fast, they scoff at me.”
Nehemiah 9:1
“On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads.”
Fasting in Times of Crisis
During moments of crisis, fasting allows believers to focus on God and seek His intervention. These passages show how people of faith fasted to address urgent needs and situations.
2 Chronicles 20:3
“Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.”
Ezra 8:23
“So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.”
Jonah 3:7
“Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: ‘No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all.'”
Judges 20:26
“Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord and fasted until evening.”
Daniel 6:18
“Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.”
Fasting for a Closer Walk with God
Fasting is a meaningful way to deepen your relationship with God. By abstaining from physical nourishment, believers can focus entirely on spiritual sustenance and grow closer to Him.
Matthew 6:17-18
“But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Psalm 42:1
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
Joel 2:13
“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”
Isaiah 58:8
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.”
Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Intercessory Prayer
What Does the Bible Say About Fasting
Fasting is an important practice in the Bible, and it is mentioned many times as a way to seek God and grow closer to Him. In simple terms, fasting means choosing not to eat or drink for a certain period of time to focus on prayer, worship, and listening to God. The Bible shows us that fasting is not just about giving up food but about humbling ourselves before God and seeking His will.
In the Old Testament, people often fasted when they needed God’s help or forgiveness. For example, in the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh fasted and prayed when they wanted God to forgive their sins. God saw their hearts and forgave them. In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness before starting His ministry. This shows us that fasting can help us prepare for important tasks and strengthen our faith.
Jesus also taught about fasting in Matthew 6:16-18. He said that we should fast quietly, not to show off or get praise from others, but to focus on God. This reminds us that fasting is a personal act of worship and devotion.
Fasting can help us grow closer to God, hear His voice more clearly, and rely on His strength. It is a way to show that we trust Him more than anything else. When done with a sincere heart, fasting can bring spiritual renewal and deepen our relationship with God.