The topic of fasting can bring up a lot of questions. Do we fast to get an answer to prayer? What does food have to do with a breakthrough in the spirit? What does it mean to fast in the Bible? What is the purpose of fasting in the Bible? Can you fast incorrectly? In this blog, we’ll help answer these questions and help you understand Biblical fasting.
What is Fasting?
Biblical fasting is the practice of not eating food for a set period of time to show devotion to God, to seek His guidance, and sometimes, to contend for a breakthrough. While it’s become a health trend to detox your body by fasting, Biblical fasting has been woven into the culture of faith for thousands of years. In Judaism and Christianity, fasting is more than a dietary choice; it’s a spiritual practice that sharpens our relationship with God, shows our humility and hunger for Him, and aligns our hearts with His divine purposes on the earth.
What Does Fasting Do for Our Spiritual Life?
One of the main things fasting does is it creates space – both physically and mentally – for undivided focus on God and a deeper connection with Him. By voluntarily pausing on our basic need of food, we are reminded that our ultimate source of sustenance comes not from bread alone, but from Jesus, the bread of life. (John 6:35)
Here are four things that happen when Christians fast:
1. Increased Dependence on God: When you fast, you get hungry. Every time your stomach grumbles, it’s an opportunity to connect with God. Because you can’t eat when you’re fasting, prayer is the first thing your mind goes to when you feel a hunger pang. It’s a reminder that we have nothing without God and we need Him for everything.
2. Renewed Purpose & Clarity: When the mess of meal-prep is gone and you aren’t thinking about your next meal, you’ll find a renewed sense of clarity. With more time, more quiet, and more clarity, Biblical fasting makes room for Christians to pray, to seek God, and to spread the Gospel with those who need Jesus.
Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, today is your day! Surrendering to Jesus is the best decision of your life. He gave everything to have you!
Pray a prayer of salvation and learn more about just how much Jesus loves you in our blog: This is For You
3. Repentance: As you’re experiencing the physical discomfort of hunger, it’s common for Christians to start repenting when they are practicing Biblical fasting. Increased humility and surrender to God is often a result of fasting, too.
4. Power & Breakthrough: Throughout the Bible, fasting is accompanied by prayer, intercession, and a solemn assembly (2 Chronicles 7:14, Joel 1:14). A humble heart, mixed with fasting, and intentional prayer is a dangerous and powerful combo in the spirit! Countless testimonies and several Biblical stories show us that fasting has a track record of bringing deliverance, healing, and breakthrough over people and nations.
However, it’s important that you don’t fast just to get a result. Biblical fasting isn’t a magic formula that moves God’s hand. It’s a costly choice that aligns our will to His. We are able to listen better, follow His leadership without fear, and trust Him beyond the routine of our regular comforts.
Types of Fasting
Scriptures about fasting in the Bible are everywhere. Biblical fasting comes in different forms and variations. Here are some examples of the different types of Biblical fasts:
- Complete Fast or Absolute Fast – No food or drink for a set time (like when Esther called her people to fast before she approached the king).
- Normal Fast – Going without food but still drinking water (Jesus did this during His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness).
- Partial Fast or Daniel Fast – Giving up certain foods, like Daniel, who ate only vegetables and drank water while seeking God.
- Corporate Fast – A whole group or community fasting together for a shared purpose (the people of Nineveh did this after Jonah’s warning).
- Regular Fast or Habitual Fast – Setting aside regular times to fast as part of your spiritual rhythm (the early church practiced this).
- Special Occasion Fast – Fasting in response to a big decision, crisis, or need for God’s direction (like Paul and Barnabas did when appointing leaders).
Why Should I Fast?
Fasting in the Bible isn’t just about giving up food—it’s really about making space for God. When asking the question, “Why should I fast?”, it’s helpful to remember that fasting is all throughout scripture. When people in the Bible fasted, they were saying, “God, I need You more than anything else.” Fasting in the Bible was a way to seek God's guidance, to show repentance, or to draw closer to Him. Fasting is a way to set aside distractions and focus on God’s presence. It’s less about what you’re not eating and more about who you’re seeking.
Fasting in the Bible was seen as an invitation to trade temporary comforts for increased connection with God. Biblical fasting shows us that fasting is powerful not because of our willpower for self-denial, but because of God’s faithfulness to meet us, always. When we make space for Him, He always fills it.
So, as you’re considering biblical fasting and praying through your plan to start a fast, remember the core of fasting is less about performance or pain and more about connection to God.
How to Fast According to the Bible?
When it comes to Biblical fasting, the first thing you need to remember is that fasting is more about your heart than it is the food (or lack of food). Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 6 that they shouldn’t fast to show off, to appear spiritual, or to take pride in their fasting. When you fast, Jesus invites you to do so quietly – meaning, you don’t have to make an announcement or tell anyone about it.
Just set aside a time to pray and ask God, “How should I fast?” For some of you, God will direct you not to fast. Say you've struggled with an eating disorder in the past, it's actually not wise for you to fast. For others of you, God will direct you to fast for a day, or two, or three. However God leads you, remember to focus less on what you’re giving up, and more on who you’re drawing near to.
Another key thing to remember when you try Biblical fasting is to fast with purpose. In the Bible, people fasted for guidance, for help in a crisis, when they wanted to repent to God, and when they were desperate for deeper connection with God. And remember, fasting doesn’t need to be isolated to food. You can also fast from social media, TV, music, or anything that pulls your attention away from God.
However you choose to practice Biblical fasting, the Bible is clear: when you do it sincerely, God will meet you there.
Biblical Scriptures About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is just about everywhere. These Bible verses about fasting are going to help you understand how Biblical fasting is so much more than just skipping meals. Learn from the stories of Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Jesus to discover what Biblical fasting is. Here are 10 key Bible verses about fasting:
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning - Joel 2:12
Bible verses about fasting show us that Biblical fasting isn’t about skipping meals – Biblical fasting is about returning to God with our whole heart. Fasting in the Bible almost always goes hand in hand with repentance and drawing close to God.
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“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:16-18
This Bible verse about Biblical fasting reminds us that fasting isn’t meant for show or to appear super spiritual. Rather, fasting in the Bible is intended to be a private act of devotion to God. The reward comes from drawing closer to God, not from others noticing.
Not sure where to start with prayer as you’re fasting? Download our FREE e-book to learn more: Let’s Talk About Prayer: Simple Steps to Connect with God
"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:16
Scriptures about biblical fasting show us that sometimes, fasting is done in community. Corporate Biblical fasting is called for a solemn assembly, or when a group of people needs courage, protection, or a breakthrough. Fasting Bible verses are often connected to prayer that gives us bold faith, too.
Learn more about the value of community in our blog: How to Have Christian Community
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. - Acts 13:2-23
In this scripture about fasting, we see that Biblical fasting is paired with worship and prayer. This fasting Bible verse shows how the early church sought God’s direction before making big decisions.
And she was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. - Luke 2:37
This Biblical fasting verse tells us about Anna, a woman who devoted her life to prayer and fasting. Her story reminds us that fasting in the Bible is a part of a lifestyle of worship, prayer, and intimacy with God.
Learn more about Christian prayer and Christian meditation: How Do I Meditate as a Christian?
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry - Matthew 4:2
This Bible verse about Biblical fasting shows us the wild story of how Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. While we don’t recommend that you fast for 40 days, Jesus did so as a prophetic picture of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. We also see that Jesus modeled Biblical fasting as preparation for his ministry.
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So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes - Daniel 9:3
This scripture about fasting from the book of Daniel gives us another great example of Biblical fasting. This fasting Bible verse shows us how Daniel combined prayer, humility, and Biblical fasting to seek God’s mercy, understanding, and help.
Related Post: 11 Bible Verses for When You Feel Far From God
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. - Nehemiah 1:4
In this scripture about fasting, Nehemiah responds to the heartbreaking news of the destruction of Jerusalem with mourning, prayer, and Biblical fasting. Fasting in the Bible can sometimes be a way to process grief, trauma and turn to God when we need help.
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However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting - Matthew 17:21
This Bible verse about fasting highlights the spiritual power that comes when prayer and Biblical fasting are combined. Fasting in the Bible was seen as a way to strengthen faith and give believers authority over challenges they faced.
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Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? - Zechariah 7:5
Our final fasting Bible verse is thought-provoking and brings us back to the core of Biblical fasting. God is asking His people whether their fasting was really for Him. This scripture about fasting in the Bible reminds us that Biblical fasting isn’t meant to be an empty ritual, but rather a posture of our heart to seek God and honor Him.
Conclusion
As you can see, Biblical fasting is about so much more than not having food for a while. It’s an ancient, scriptural practice that humans have been using for thousands of years to draw closer to God. Whether you’re seeking breakthrough, a deeper connection with God, or direction for the next season, Biblical fasting is a great tool to grow in your faith and grow closer to God.
