Fasting sounds strange in our culture where food is everywhere. We're used to three meals a day, plus snacks. The idea of going without food on purpose for spiritual reasons can seem odd or even extreme.
But fasting appears more than 70 times in Scripture. Moses fasted. David fasted. Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah - they all fasted. Jesus fasted for 40 days before He started His public ministry. The early church fasted when they made important decisions about sending out missionaries and choosing leaders.
Biblical fasting is not dieting. It's not a hunger strike. It's not about losing weight or proving how spiritual you are. Biblical fasting is going without food to seek God. It's choosing to set aside physical needs for a time to focus entirely on prayer and hearing from God.
This article looks at what the Bible actually says about fasting - why people fasted in Scripture, what different types of fasts are mentioned, what Jesus taught about it, and how Christians today can practice biblical fasting.
What Is Fasting in the Bible?
The Hebrew word for fasting is tsom, which means to abstain from food. The Greek word in the New Testament is nesteuo, which carries the same meaning. Throughout Scripture, fasting means voluntarily going without food for spiritual purposes.
This is the key difference between biblical fasting and everything else. People skip meals for lots of reasons - they're too busy, they're trying to lose weight, they forgot to eat. That's not fasting. Biblical fasting is deliberately choosing not to eat because you want to seek God with your whole attention.
Isaiah 58 makes this clear. The Israelites were fasting - they went without food and complained that God wasn't noticing or answering their prayers. God responded through the prophet Isaiah that He doesn't want empty religious rituals. He wants hearts that truly seek Him and lives that reflect His character.
Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 6:16-18. He told His followers not to make a show of fasting to impress others. Don't walk around looking miserable so everyone knows you're fasting. Instead, wash your face and go about your day. Fast in secret before God, who sees what you do in private.
Throughout the Bible, fasting and prayer go together. Fasting isn't about manipulating God or twisting His arm to answer your prayers. It's about humbling yourself before Him. It's saying "I need You more than I need food. I'm setting aside this basic physical need to focus completely on seeking Your face."
Why Did People Fast in the Bible?
People in Scripture fasted for specific reasons, not just as a general religious practice. Looking at these examples shows us the heart behind biblical fasting.
To Seek God's Guidance and Direction
When the early church needed to make important decisions, they fasted and prayed. In Acts 13:2-3, the believers in Antioch were worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. After fasting and praying, they laid hands on them and sent them out.
Acts 14:23 says Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church "with prayer and fasting." They fasted when they needed God's wisdom about leadership.
In Ezra 8:21-23, Ezra called for a fast before the Jews traveled back to Jerusalem. He wanted to ask God for safe travel and protection. They fasted and prayed, and God answered.
To Express Grief and Mourning
Fasting often went along with deep sadness or loss. In 2 Samuel 1:12, David and his men mourned, wept, and fasted until evening when they heard Saul and Jonathan had died in battle.
When Nehemiah heard the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the people were in trouble, he sat down and wept. For days, he mourned and fasted and prayed before God (Nehemiah 1:4).
Fasting gave them a way to express grief that went beyond words. Going without food showed the depth of their sorrow.
To Seek Deliverance from Danger
When Queen Esther discovered the plot to kill all the Jews in Persia, she called for an absolute fast. "Gather all the Jews in Susa and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast the same way. Then I'll go to the king, even though it's against the law. And if I die, I die" (Esther 4:16).
The entire Jewish community fasted together, seeking God's help in their desperate situation. God moved, the king showed mercy, and the Jewish people were saved.
In 2 Chronicles 20:3, when enemy armies came against Judah, King Jehoshaphat "resolved to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." The people gathered to seek help from God, who gave them victory without them having to fight.
To Express Repentance and Turn From Sin
The prophet Joel called God's people to "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning" (Joel 2:12). Fasting showed they were serious about turning away from sin and back to God.
When Jonah preached to the city of Nineveh, warning them God would destroy the city because of their wickedness, the entire city repented. "The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth" (Jonah 3:5). Even the king got off his throne, took off his royal robes, and sat in ashes. God saw their sincere repentance and had mercy.
Before Starting Something Important for God
Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness right before He began His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). He was filled with the Holy Spirit and led into the wilderness where He fasted and was tempted by Satan. After that time of fasting, He returned "in the power of the Spirit" to begin teaching and performing miracles.
This pattern shows up again in Acts 13:2-3 when the church fasted before sending out the first missionaries. Fasting marked the beginning of important work for God's kingdom.
To Show Dependence on God Rather Than Physical Needs
When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread after 40 days of fasting, Jesus answered with Scripture: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
That's what fasting shows. We need God more than we need food. We depend on Him, not just on meeting our physical needs.
Biblical Examples of Fasting
Seeing how different people in Scripture fasted helps us understand this practice better.
Moses
Moses went 40 days and nights without eating or drinking when he was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God (Exodus 34:28). This was a miraculous fast - the human body can't normally go that long without water. Moses was in God's presence, and God sustained him in a way that went beyond natural ability.
Deuteronomy 9:9 adds more detail: "I went up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord made with you. I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water."
David
When David's child with Bathsheba became sick, David pleaded with God for the child. "He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground" (2 Samuel 12:16). The elders tried to get him to eat, but he refused.
After seven days, the child died. David got up, washed, changed his clothes, went to worship, and then ate. His servants were confused - why fast while the child was alive but eat after he died? David explained he fasted hoping God might be gracious. Once the child died, fasting wouldn't bring him back.
This shows David fasting as an act of humble pleading before God, knowing God alone had power over life and death.
Psalm 35:13 shows David fasted on other occasions too: "When they were sick, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting."
Esther
Esther's story shows corporate fasting - a whole community fasting together. When Haman plotted to kill all the Jews, Esther asked Mordecai to "gather all the Jews in Susa and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do" (Esther 4:16).
This was an absolute fast - no food or water for three full days. The entire Jewish community joined together in fasting before Esther risked her life going before the king uninvited. God moved in the king's heart, Esther found favor, and the Jewish people were delivered.
Daniel
Daniel's fasting looked different. In Daniel 10:2-3, he says "I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."
This is called a partial fast. Daniel didn't stop eating completely. He gave up certain foods - the rich foods, meat, and wine he would normally eat. He also didn't use oils or lotions for comfort during this time. This partial fast lasted three full weeks while Daniel mourned and sought God.
Nehemiah
When Nehemiah, who was serving the king in Persia, heard that Jerusalem's walls were broken and the people were in disgrace, he "sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4).
Nehemiah combined fasting with mourning and prayer as he sought God about what to do. His fasting showed how seriously he took the situation and how much he needed God's help.
Jesus
Before Jesus began His ministry, He fasted 40 days in the wilderness. Luke 4:1-2 says "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry."
This wasn't an absolute fast like Moses experienced - Jesus likely drank water. But He went 40 days without food while being tempted by Satan. When Satan tempted Him to turn stones to bread, Jesus refused, quoting Scripture about living by God's word, not just bread.
After this time of fasting, Jesus returned to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" and began teaching, healing, and performing miracles (Luke 4:14).
The Early Church
The believers in Antioch were "worshiping the Lord and fasting" when the Holy Spirit spoke to them about sending out Barnabas and Saul as missionaries (Acts 13:2). After they fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them off.
Later, when Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in the churches they had started, they did it "with prayer and fasting" (Acts 14:23).
The early church followed Jesus's example. They fasted when they needed to hear from God, make important decisions, and set people apart for ministry.
Different Types of Fasts in the Bible
The Bible mentions several different kinds of fasts. Understanding these helps us see that fasting can look different depending on the situation and what God is calling someone to do.
Regular or Normal Fast
This is the most common type. A regular fast means not eating food but drinking water. This could be from sunup to sundown (about 12 hours) or a full 24 hours.
King Jehoshaphat called this kind of fast when enemies came against Judah (2 Chronicles 20:3). Jesus fasted this way for 40 days in the wilderness - He ate nothing, but the text suggests He drank water since an absolute fast that long would be impossible.
Most Christians who fast do this type. They skip one or more meals and spend that time in prayer. The focus is on giving up food while still drinking water to stay healthy.
Absolute or Complete Fast
This means no food and no water. Because the human body needs water to survive, absolute fasts in the Bible were always short - usually three days or less.
Esther called for an absolute fast: "Don't eat or drink for three days, night or day" (Esther 4:16). The entire Jewish community joined her in this urgent plea to God.
When Saul (who became Paul) encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, "he was without sight and neither ate nor drank anything" for three days (Acts 9:9). During this time, God was working in his heart.
Moses and Elijah had miraculous 40-day absolute fasts (Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19). These were supernatural - God sustained them in ways that went beyond normal human ability.
An absolute fast should only be done for very short periods and usually in desperate situations requiring urgent prayer.
Partial Fast
A partial fast means giving up certain kinds of food but not all food. Daniel practiced this: "I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips" (Daniel 10:3). For three weeks, he gave up rich foods, meat, and wine while he mourned and sought God.
Many Christians today do a "Daniel fast" based on this example. They eat only vegetables, fruits, and water for a set period, giving up meat, sweets, and processed foods.
A partial fast can also mean fasting one meal a day while eating others, or fasting certain days of the week. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, fasted two days a week, eating only bread and water on those days.
The key is intentionally giving up something you would normally eat, not because it's bad, but to focus more on God.
Corporate Fast
This is when a whole group or community fasts together for the same purpose. The city of Nineveh did this when they repented (Jonah 3:5-9). Joel called for a corporate fast: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly" (Joel 2:15).
Esther's fast was corporate - all the Jews in Susa fasted together for three days. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah when enemies threatened.
Corporate fasts unite people in seeking God together. Everyone is humbling themselves at the same time, joining their hearts in prayer.
Extended Fast
Some people in the Bible fasted for extended periods - weeks or even 40 days. Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Sinai. Elijah fasted 40 days in the wilderness after fleeing from Jezebel. Jesus fasted 40 days before beginning His ministry.
Daniel's partial fast lasted three weeks (Daniel 10:2-3).
Extended fasts require more preparation and care. Someone planning a longer fast should prepare physically by eating lighter foods beforehand and make sure they have time set aside for focused prayer and seeking God.
What Jesus Taught About Fasting
Jesus gave clear teaching about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount. His words in Matthew 6:16-18 are crucial for understanding biblical fasting.
Jesus Assumed His Followers Would Fast
Notice Jesus didn't say "if you fast." He said "when you fast." He expected His disciples to fast as part of their spiritual lives.
In Matthew 9:14-15, John's disciples asked Jesus why His disciples didn't fast while John's disciples and the Pharisees did. Jesus answered, "Can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast."
Jesus said His disciples would fast after He returned to heaven. And they did - we see the early church fasting in Acts 13 and 14.
Don't Fast for Show
"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).
Some religious people in Jesus's day fasted to look spiritual. They made sure everyone knew they were fasting - they looked miserable, didn't wash, and wanted people to be impressed by their devotion.
Jesus said they already got their reward - human praise. But that's all they'd get. God doesn't reward fasting done for show.
Fast in Secret Before God
"But when you fast, put oil on 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).
Jesus told His followers to do the opposite of the hypocrites. Wash your face. Put oil on your head (which was the normal grooming practice). Don't broadcast your fasting. Let it be between you and God.
Fast because you want to seek God, not because you want others to think you're spiritual. God sees what you do in private, and He will reward you.
True Fasting Flows From a Right Heart
Isaiah 58 gives one of the most powerful teachings on fasting in Scripture. God rebuked Israel for their empty fasting. They fasted but kept exploiting their workers. They fasted but quarreled and fought. They went through the religious ritual while living selfishly.
God said through Isaiah, "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? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?" (Isaiah 58:6-7).
True fasting isn't just about going without food. It must flow from a heart that loves God and loves others. You can't fast to appear righteous while treating people wrong. God sees through that.
This doesn't mean you have to be perfect before you fast. It means fasting should be part of a life seeking to honor God in all areas, not just a religious ritual disconnected from how you actually live.
Should Christians Fast Today?
This is a question many Christians ask. Fasting isn't talked about much in many churches today. Is it still important? Should believers still practice it?
Jesus Expected It
As we saw, Jesus said "when you fast," not "if you fast" (Matthew 6:16). He expected His followers to fast after He returned to heaven. And the early church did fast - Acts 13:2-3 and 14:23 show the believers fasting as they sought God's direction.
Fasting isn't a command in the New Testament like "pray without ceasing" or "love one another." But Jesus assumed His followers would do it.
It's Not Required for Salvation
You don't earn God's favor by fasting. You're not more saved if you fast or less saved if you don't. Fasting doesn't make God love you more.
Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
Fasting is a voluntary spiritual practice, not a requirement. It's something believers can do to grow closer to God, not something they must do to be accepted by Him.
It's a Way to Humble Ourselves
First Peter 5:5 says "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." Fasting is one way to humble ourselves before God.
Psalm 35:13 says "I humbled myself with fasting." When you fast, you're acknowledging your dependence on God. You're saying "I need You more than I need food. I'm setting aside this basic need to focus on seeking You."
Fasting helps break our self-sufficiency. We're so used to meeting our own needs. Food is always available. We rarely feel truly dependent on God for our next meal. Fasting reminds us that God is our source, not our pantry.
It Opens Us to Hear God More Clearly
When you fast, you're removing distractions. Instead of taking time to prepare and eat meals, you're spending that time in prayer and reading Scripture. The physical emptiness reminds you to seek spiritual filling from God.
Many Christians who fast regularly say they hear from God more clearly during fasting. It's not that God only speaks when we fast - He's always ready to communicate with His children. But fasting helps us quiet the noise and focus our hearts completely on Him.
Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru), fasted regularly. He said fasting allowed the Holy Spirit to show him his true spiritual condition, led to brokenness and repentance, and strengthened his faith and confidence in God.
Christians Can Choose to Fast
Fasting is a spiritual discipline available to all believers. Like prayer, Bible reading, worship, and fellowship, it's a practice that helps us grow in our relationship with God.
Some Christians fast one day a week. Others fast when facing important decisions. Some fast during specific seasons like Lent. Others rarely fast but do so when they feel especially burdened about something and want to seek God intensely.
There's freedom in how often and how long to fast. The key is doing it with the right heart - seeking God, not trying to impress others or earn His favor.
How to Fast According to the Bible
If you want to start fasting, here's practical guidance based on biblical examples and wisdom.
Start With Prayer
Before you fast, ask God how He wants you to fast. Ask Him what He wants to do in your heart during this time. Don't just fast because you think you should or because someone told you to. Fast because you want to seek God.
Have a clear purpose for your fast. Are you seeking guidance about a decision? Are you praying for someone's salvation? Are you asking God for breakthrough in a difficult situation? Are you mourning over sin and wanting to draw closer to God?
Knowing why you're fasting helps you stay focused when it gets hard.
Start Small
If you've never fasted before, don't try to fast 40 days like Jesus. That's not where you start.
Try fasting one meal first. Skip breakfast or lunch and spend that time in prayer instead. See how your body responds.
Then try a 24-hour fast from dinner to dinner. Eat dinner, then don't eat again until dinner the next day. Drink plenty of water.
As you get more experienced with shorter fasts, you can try longer periods if God leads you to.
Choose the Right Time
Pick a time when you can actually focus on seeking God, not when you have major physical demands. If you have a day full of heavy physical work, that may not be the best day for your first fast. Choose a day when you have time to pray, read Scripture, and be alone with God.
If you're sick or have health issues, fasting may not be wise. More on that below.
Replace Meal Times With Prayer
The point of fasting isn't just to not eat. It's to use that time to seek God. When you would normally eat breakfast, spend that time reading your Bible and praying. When lunchtime comes and you feel hungry, turn that physical hunger into a prayer. Let your stomach rumbling remind you to pray.
Some people find it helpful to have a list of specific things to pray for during their fast. Others use the time to read through books of the Bible they haven't studied deeply. The goal is intentional time with God, not just enduring hunger.
Drink Plenty of Water
Unless you feel specifically called to an absolute fast (which should be very short), drink water. Your body needs water to function. Staying hydrated will help you think more clearly and pray more effectively.
Water isn't "cheating." It's taking care of the body God gave you while still abstaining from food.
End Your Fast Carefully
When your fast is over, don't rush to eat a huge meal. Your stomach has been resting. If you've only fasted a day or two, this isn't as critical. But if you've fasted longer, break your fast with something light like fruit or soup.
Chew slowly. Pay attention to how your body feels. Gradually return to normal eating over the course of a day.
Important Health Considerations
Some people should not fast or should only fast under medical supervision:
- If you're pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you have diabetes or blood sugar issues
- If you have a history of eating disorders
- If you're taking medications that need to be taken with food
- If you have any chronic health conditions
If you're planning an extended fast (more than three days), talk to your doctor first. Let them know what you're planning so they can give you medical advice.
Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Taking care of your health honors God. Fasting should never damage your health.
What If You Fail?
What if you start a fast and can't finish it? What if you get so hungry or weak that you have to eat?
Don't beat yourself up. God knows your heart. He knows you wanted to seek Him.
Bill Bright said it takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you can't complete your first fast, try again another time. Maybe you tried to fast too long at first. Maybe you need to build up gradually.
God doesn't reject you if you start a fast and can't finish. He sees that you wanted to seek Him, and that matters. Be patient with yourself. Fasting is a skill that develops over time.
Keep It Between You and God
Remember Jesus's words - don't fast for show. You don't need to announce on social media that you're fasting. You don't need to tell everyone at church how long you've been fasting.
It's okay to tell close friends or your spouse that you're fasting, especially if they're praying for you or if you need them to know why you're not eating meals with them. But don't broadcast it for attention or praise.
Fast as an act of worship between you and God. He sees. He knows. His reward is what matters.
Conclusion
Fasting has been part of God's people's lives for thousands of years. Moses fasted. David fasted. Esther called her entire community to fast with her. Nehemiah fasted when he heard about Jerusalem's broken walls. Daniel fasted when he mourned and sought God. Jesus fasted before beginning His ministry. The early church fasted when they made important decisions.
These believers fasted because they needed God. They fasted to seek His guidance, to mourn, to repent, to prepare for important work, to cry out for deliverance. They fasted not to impress anyone but to humble themselves before the One they depended on.
Fasting isn't a way to manipulate God or earn His favor. You can't fast your way into making God answer your prayers the way you want. That's not how it works.
But fasting is a way to humble yourself and say "God, I need You more than I need food. I'm setting aside this basic physical need to focus completely on seeking Your face." It's a way to break through the noise and distractions of daily life to hear God more clearly.
Christians today can practice this same spiritual discipline. You can fast one meal or one day or longer as God leads. You can fast when you need God's wisdom for a major decision. You can fast when you're burdened for someone's salvation. You can fast when you're grieving or when you need breakthrough in a difficult situation.
The Bible makes it clear: fast in secret, not for show. Fast with a humble heart that truly seeks God, not with a proud heart that wants credit for being spiritual. Fast while also living justly and loving others - don't separate your spiritual practices from how you treat people.
God sees when you fast. He knows your heart. When you seek Him with your whole heart, He will let you find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Fasting is one powerful way to seek Him with everything you have.
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