Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by believers throughout history, serving as a means to deepen one’s relationship with God, seek guidance, and cultivate a heart of repentance.
These scriptures remind us that fasting is not merely about abstaining from food, but about humbling ourselves before God, seeking His will, and demonstrating our dependence on Him.
Reflecting on these passages can inspire a meaningful approach to fasting, encouraging you to use this practice for spiritual renewal, to intercede for others, and to enhance your prayer life. Ultimately, these verses remind us that true fasting is about transformation of the heart and a deeper connection with our Creator.
Bible Verses About Fasting
Understanding the Purpose of Fasting
“Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” – Isaiah 58:6
More Related Verses:
“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 6:17-18
“For I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God or accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.'” – Jeremiah 7:28
Examples of Fasting in the Bible
“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.” – Matthew 4:2
More Related Verses:
“So we fasted and prayed about this. And our God answered our prayer.” – Ezra 8:23
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.” – Ezra 8:21
“The king of Nineveh arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” – Jonah 3:6
Also read: 31 Bible Verses For School (with Related Verses)
Jesus’ Teachings on Fasting
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'” – Matthew 9:15
More Related Verses:
“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
“And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:29
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
The Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
“But he answered, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” – Matthew 4:4
More Related Verses:
“This is the fast that I choose: 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
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
“And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24
Fasting for Deliverance and Healing
“And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.” – Nehemiah 9:2
More Related Verses:
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” – Psalm 107:6
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” – Jeremiah 17:14
“And if my people who are called by my name 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 heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
The Role of Prayer in Fasting
“And 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
More Related Verses:
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” – Luke 18:1
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42
Fasting as a Means of Seeking God
“Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.” – Ezra 8:21
More Related Verses:
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18
Different Types of Fasting
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35
More Related Verses:
“But choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” – Joshua 24:15
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.” – Matthew 6:16
“So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and he answered our prayer.” – Ezra 8:23
Fasting and Humility
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
More Related Verses:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
“I was humbled and unable to speak; I had to remain silent, though I said nothing good.” – Psalm 39:9
Fasting in Times of National Crisis
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.” – Zechariah 12:10
More Related Verses:
“Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.” – Daniel 9:17
“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
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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 will I hear from heaven.” – 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
The Connection Between Fasting and Repentance
“Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” – Joel 2:12
More Related Verses:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” – Matthew 3:2
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” – Acts 2:38
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Fasting in the New Testament
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.” – Luke 4:1-2
More Related Verses:
“And 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
“And afterward they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them.” – Acts 13:3
“And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:29
Fasting for Personal Spiritual Growth
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11
More Related Verses:
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 3:18
“And you shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
Corporate Fasting in the Bible
“And the people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, stand and confess their sins, and the iniquities of their ancestors.” – Nehemiah 9:2
More Related Verses:
“And they gathered the people together to ask for water, and they fasted on that day.” – 1 Samuel 7:6
“And when they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them.” – Acts 13:3
“And I proclaim a fast there. We humbled ourselves before our God.” – Ezra 8:21
The Dangers of Legalism in Fasting
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
More Related Verses:
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:1
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift.” – Ephesians 2:8
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10
Fasting for Breakthroughs
“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:22
More Related Verses:
“And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen.'” – Matthew 21:21
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37
“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” – Joshua 1:3
The Attitude of the Heart in Fasting
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'” – 1 Samuel 16:7
More Related Verses:
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” – 2 Corinthians 13:5
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Fasting and Worship
“And we fasted and sought our God for this, and he granted us success.” – Ezra 8:23
More Related Verses:
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.” – Exodus 15:1
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.” – Psalm 51:17
How to Prepare for a Fast
“Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:8
More Related Verses:
“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.” – Ephesians 4:22
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” – Galatians 6:4
The Biblical Guidelines for Fasting
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24
More Related Verses:
“If you notice that your neighbor is in trouble and you don’t offer help, that’s a sin.” – Proverbs 3:27
“But he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:29
“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” – 2 Corinthians 10:18
Fasting and Self-Control
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27
More Related Verses:
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.” – Philippians 4:5
How Fasting Helps Focus on God
“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
More Related Verses:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
“And if you genuinely repent, I will restore your fortunes, as I have promised.” – Jeremiah 29:14
Fasting for Guidance and Wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5
More Related Verses:
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6
“And when you turn to the Lord, he will show you the way.” – Isaiah 30:21
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22
The Relationship Between Fasting and Giving
“And when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” – Matthew 6:3
More Related Verses:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” – Matthew 25:35
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Fasting as a Form of Sacrifice
“I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” – Romans 12:1
More Related Verses:
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.” – Psalm 51:17
“For there is no sacrifice too great for the good of God’s kingdom.” – John 15:13
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
Final Thoughts
Fasting is a profound spiritual practice that draws believers closer to God, aligning their hearts and minds with His will. It serves as a time to humble oneself, seeking divine guidance, healing, and a deeper understanding of God’s presence in daily life.
As you consider incorporating fasting into your spiritual journey, remember that it is not merely about abstaining from food, but about setting aside distractions to commune with God. Embrace the various forms of fasting that fit your context, ensuring that your heart remains centered on worship and sincerity rather than legalistic observance.
Ultimately, fasting is a tool for transformation, a way to sacrifice personal desires for spiritual growth, and a means to experience breakthrough in your life and the lives of others.