Today we will talk about fasting Bible verses. Fasting is an act of spiritual discipline that helps us draw closer to God and understand our relationship with Him in a deeper way. It may involve abstaining from food, certain activities, or anything that distracts us from focusing on our spiritual journey. The Bible speaks about fasting in many places, showing us its significance and purpose. Fasting isn’t just about what we give up, but about what we gain—intimacy with God, clarity of purpose, and deeper understanding of His will. So let us dive into these sacred texts, meditate on their wisdom, and allow them to shape our hearts and minds.
Bible Verses About Fasting
The Purpose of Fasting
In our spiritual journey, we often wonder why we should fast. Fasting serves to humble ourselves before God and seek His guidance. It is an intentional act of surrender, allowing us to recognize our dependence on Him. As we read these Bible verses about fasting, we should contemplate the reasons behind this practice. It’s about turning away from distractions and turning toward God, making space in our lives for deeper communication with Him. The purpose is not merely ritualistic but transformational. Fasting brings a focus to our prayer life, enhancing the connection we have with God. It’s a powerful way to open our hearts and minds to His leading, inviting ourselves to a deeper encounter with His presence.
Joel 2:12
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” – Joel 2:12
Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” – Isaiah 58:6
Matthew 6:16
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” – Matthew 6:16
Acts 13:3
“So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:3
Luke 5:35
“But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” – Luke 5:35
Fasting as Humility
Fasting is often a sign of humility in our relationship with God. When we fast, we acknowledge that we are not in control and that we need God’s help and grace in our lives. It shows our willingness to surrender our pride and worldly needs, allowing God to reign supreme in our hearts. Humility is essential because it places us in a position to receive God’s guidance. Through our fasting, we demonstrate our earnest desire to align ourselves with His will rather than our own. Reflecting on these verses about fasting, we see how this practice can lead us to humility, helping us to soften our hearts and ask for divine assistance.
Psalms 35:13
“Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered.” – Psalms 35:13
Ezra 8:21
“There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.” – Ezra 8:21
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Fasting and Prayer
We often find that fasting is accompanied by prayer, forming a powerful bond in our spiritual practice. When we set aside time for fasting, it is essential to dedicate that same time to prayer. It’s through this combination that our spirits are sharpened, our hearts are purified, and our requests to God are heightened. Prayer during fasting is a channel through which we can express our hopes, seek understanding, and ask for God’s will in our lives. The communion we build with God during fasting and prayer strengthens our faith, enhances our spiritual insights, and cements the foundation of our reliance on Him.
Matthew 17:21
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21
Mark 9:29
“He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:29
Luke 6:12
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” – Luke 6:12
Acts 14:23
“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” – Acts 14:23
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Fasting in Times of Trouble
When facing challenges in life, we might turn to fasting as a source of comfort and guidance. During our toughest moments, fasting reminds us to seek God even more fervently. These sacred verses about fasting illustrate how it serves as a powerful expression of grief, dependence, and need for divine intervention. When we fast during desperate times, it signifies our urgency in seeking answers, healing, or clarity. Through these moments, we invite God into our struggles, allowing Him to work miracles in our lives while simultaneously deepening our trust in His love and provision.
2 Chronicles 20:3
“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” – 2 Chronicles 20:3
Esther 4:16
“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
Jeremiah 36:9
“In the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem and those who came in from the towns of Judah proclaimed a fast before the Lord.” – Jeremiah 36:9
Nehemiah 1:4
“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
Jonah 3:5
“The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” – Jonah 3:5
Fasting and Obedience
When we practice fasting, it is a demonstration of our obedience to God’s word. It signals our desire to follow His commands wholeheartedly. Fasting becomes a means to acknowledge God’s authority in our lives, seeking to align our actions with His desires. In obedience, we set aside our own needs and wants, prioritizing the pursuit of God’s plans for us. The Bible verses regarding fasting remind us that obedience is crucial when we engage in this act. It’s not simply about giving something up; it’s about what God wants to do in our hearts through our commitment to Him. When we obey through fasting, we cultivate a spirit of receptiveness, ready to act on God’s will for our lives.
Deuteronomy 9:9
“When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord had made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water.” – Deuteronomy 9:9
Luke 2:36-37
“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” – Luke 2:36-37
Acts 9:9
“For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” – Acts 9:9
Isaiah 58:5
“Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” – Isaiah 58:5
Matthew 4:2
“After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” – Matthew 4:2
The Rewards of Fasting
There are beautiful rewards when we commit ourselves to fasting. The blessings that come from allowing God to take center stage in our lives are immeasurable. These fasting Bible verses communicate that when we genuinely seek God through fasting, He responds with grace and fulfillments that surpass our expectations. The essence of fasting often lies in discovering the promise of God’s love, comfort, and assurance. It builds our faith and strengthens the intimacy we have with our Creator. The transformation that occurs in our hearts through fasting and seeking Him draws us closer to His presence and leads to miraculous results in our lives.
Isaiah 58:9
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk.” – Isaiah 58:9
Matthew 6:18
“So that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:18
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Proverbs 21:21
“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21
Isaiah 58:14
“Then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.” – Isaiah 58:14
Fasting as an Act of Worship
Worship is not limited to music or prayer; it encompasses every act we do in service to God. Fasting is a profound expression of our worship, demonstrating our love and devotion to our Creator. When we fast, we replace our need for physical sustenance with our need for spiritual nourishment. It’s an incredible way for us to show God how much we value our relationship with Him. The Bible verses about fasting illustrate how this act can be a form of praise, where we humble ourselves and recognize His greatness. Embracing fasting as worship helps us to connect deeper with God, fostering more sincere adoration and a heart ready to receive His praises.
Luke 2:37
“And coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” – Luke 2:37
Acts 10:30
“Cornelius answered: ‘Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me'” – Acts 10:30
Philippians 3:19
“Their mind is set on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:19
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4