“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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 6:17-18
Scriptures About Fasting
The Purpose of Fasting
Fasting is a powerful practice that draws us closer to God. It helps us focus on our spiritual growth and purify our hearts. When we fast, we intentionally take time to strengthen our relationship with the Lord. By giving up physical nourishment, we can refocus our minds and hearts on spiritual matters, seeking divine guidance and clarity. It’s our way of saying, “Lord, we need you more than the food on our plates.” Fasting creates space for us to reflect on what truly matters and align our lives with His will. This practice not only helps us in our personal relationship with God but also unites us as a community seeking His presence together through prayer and devotion.
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 4:2
“After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” – Matthew 4:2
Acts 13:2
“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.'” – Acts 13:2
Joel 2:12
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” – Joel 2:12
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
Preparing Our Hearts for Fasting
Before we embark on our journey of fasting, it’s important for us to prepare our hearts. Fasting isn’t just about skipping meals; it’s about nurturing our spiritual hunger. We need to approach fasting with a mindset of humility and intent, seeking not just to change our circumstances but to deepen our connection with God. As we prepare, we can spend time in prayer, asking God for guidance and clarity on our intentions for the fast. This preparation helps us recognize our motivations and makes the experience more meaningful. By taking time to reflect and seek God’s purpose in our fast, we create a fertile soil for spiritual growth.
Psalms 69:10
“When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn.” – Psalms 69:10
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.” – Matthew 6:16
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.” – Ezra 8:21
1 Samuel 7:6
“When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day, they fasted and there they confessed, ‘We have sinned against the Lord.'” – 1 Samuel 7:6
Acts 14:23
“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.” – Acts 14:23
The Role of Prayer in Fasting
Fasting without prayer can often feel empty, like going on a diet without any real purpose. When we fast, it’s essential that we also dedicate time to prayer. Both practices go hand-in-hand, enhancing our spiritual experience. During fasting, our souls become more receptive to God’s voice, and prayer opens our hearts to what He wants us to learn and experience. Together, fasting and prayer help us reflect on our lives and encourage us to ask for strength, guidance, and healing. It’s a time for us to humble ourselves before the Lord and invite Him into our situations. Through prayer, we can express our needs, intercede for others, and hear what God is saying back to us.
Luke 2:37
“And then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” – Luke 2:37
Mark 9:29
“He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:29
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Daniel 9:3
“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
Fasting as a Source of Strength
When we fast, we often find ourselves feeling weaker physically, but in reality, our spiritual strength can grow immensely. By denying ourselves, we lean more on the strength of the Lord. Fasting reminds us that true power doesn’t come from food but from God. As we wrestle with our hunger, we learn reliance on God for sustenance. It’s an invitation to build our faith knowing that God sustains us in our spiritual journey. We should view fasting as an opportunity for God to show us His grace and fill us with His presence. We may enter into our fast feeling weak, but we emerge from it feeling renewed and invigorated.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Colossians 1:11
“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” – Colossians 1:11
Psalms 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalms 27:1
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
Fasting as a Form of Worship
Fasting is not merely an act of self-denial; it’s also a beautiful expression of worship. When we fast, we are signaling to God that we value our relationship with Him above our earthly desires. It’s a time for us to show genuine love and reverence for God. Our fast can become an offering, where we give up something we cherish for something greater—intimacy with our Creator. By coming before Him humbly, we recognize God’s holiness and worship Him through this intentional act. Fasting as a form of worship is about aligning our hearts with His and understanding that our devotion and desire for Him far exceed the need for food and material things.
Acts 13:3
“So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:3
Isaiah 58:5
“Is it such a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?” – Isaiah 58:5
Matthew 9:14-15
“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?'” – Matthew 9:14-15
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
John 4:24
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24
Communal Fasting
When we fast together as a community, it becomes a powerful form of unity. We, as a collective body, come before God with one heart, seeking His presence and guidance. Communal fasting fosters support and accountability when we’re all on the same journey. It can be a time of prayer and growth when we lift each other in our intentions and reflect together on what God is saying. By sharing our experiences and insights, we gain strength from one another, creating bonds that deepen our fellowship. Additionally, we can take this communal fast to intercede for a specific cause or need within our community or the world, amplifying our prayers and impact.
Acts 4:24
“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” – Acts 4:24
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.” – Esther 4:16
Joel 1:14
“Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God and cry out to the Lord.” – Joel 1:14
2 Chronicles 20:3
“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” – 2 Chronicles 20:3
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
Results of Fasting
Fasting can bring about powerful change in our lives. As we dedicate ourselves to seek God, we often find clarity, wisdom, and guidance on our journey. It’s an act that aligns our hearts with His purpose, revealing the areas where we may need to grow or adjust. Often, the results of fasting can be seen not only in our lives but also in our relationships as we become more attuned to the needs of others. The transformative power of fasting encourages us to trust in God’s plan as we seek Him wholeheartedly. The breakthroughs and revelations from our fasting times remind us that God is at work in our lives, directing our paths and filling us with hope and strength.
Matthew 17:21
“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21
Psalms 35:13
“Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.” – Psalms 35:13
Philippians 1:19
“For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” – Philippians 1:19
Isaiah 58:8
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” – Isaiah 58:8
Luke 1:37
“For no word from God will ever fail.” – Luke 1:37
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these Scriptures about fasting, we realize that fasting is much more than just abstaining from food. It’s a journey toward deeper intimacy with God, a practice of humility, and an opportunity for growth in our faith. Whether we are fasting individually or as a community, we are focusing our hearts on God, prayerfully seeking His will and purpose in our lives. The Scriptures encourage us to prepare our hearts, lean on God for strength, and recognize fasting as a form of worship that can foster unity among us.
Through fasting, we can expect not only personal transformation but also the power of collective prayers. The results of our fasting can be seen in our spiritual victories and the way we relate to others. Let’s approach fasting as a precious gift, a means to draw nearer to God and a way to acknowledge His importance in our lives.
As we continue to seek Him, we can trust that our prayers and fasting will bring about changes, in our lives and those around us, as we grow in understanding of His faithfulness and His plans for us.
Further Reading
5 Ways You Can Make a Difference to Change the World!
30 Powerful Best Bible Verses For Good Morning (With Commentary)
30 Powerful Best Bible Verses For God’S Love (With Commentary)
30 Powerful Best Bible Verses For Girls (With Commentary)
30 Powerful Best Bible Verses For Girlfriend (With Commentary)
30 Powerful Best Bible Verses For Funerals (With Commentary)