Top 10 Bible Verses About Fasting
Last Updated: 05 February 2020
There will be challenges in our lives that will cause us to desperately seek God’s forgiveness, direction or intervention. Or, sometimes, we desire to grow spiritually, get closer to God or strengthen our faith.
Fasting is a powerful Biblical tool we could use to achieve these things.
In this article, you’ll find the 5 most important Bible verses about fasting, 5 inspiring verses to meditate on while fasting, and several examples of fasting in the Bible.
Scriptures About Fasting
1. Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Reflection: Prayer and fasting should be between us and God. After all, it is an extra sacrifice that we make in order to obtain God’s mercy and grace in our lives. Don’t let us use fasting as a way to show the world how religious or spiritual we are. On the contrary, we should radiate happiness and put on a face of strength in the public eye – while taking our sorrow, pain and struggles to the throne of God behind closed doors.
Pray the verse: Dear Father, you know the hearts of all people and no one can deceive you. Please forgive me and everyone dear to my heart if we have ever do things to appear religious to others. Help us understand that pleasing people won’t get us anywhere in life. But, help us live in awareness that your eyes are on us, and that obtaining your grace is all that counts. Amen.
2. Isaiah 58:5-7
Is this the fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to humble his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under himself? Will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? “Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Reflection: Many Christians are used to the fact that the act of fasting means going without food while taking extra time for prayer and meditation. But, according to prophet Isaiah, true fasting goes further and beyond what we are used to. He argues that our fasting should also include making extra effort to help the oppressed and meet the needs of those in poverty. Doing our ‘religious’ duties in Church, praying & worshiping or reading our Bibles are not enough in the eyes of God. But, ‘love our neighbor as thyself’ is pivotal. You see, everyone can put a façade of religiosity and attend Church, give tithes, and pray. But, only those who are humble and obedient enough, would swallow their ego and love others like Jesus do. So, if we think that prayer and fasting alone make us righteous in God’s eyes, we are certainly wrong.
Pray the verse: Righteous God, I ask you to help me become more like your Son Jesus, and so live the Christian life fully. Help me do all that I have to do, but above all, to love you with all my being, and to love others as myself. Help me not to turn a blind eye for those in need and a deaf ear to the distress of others. Amen.
3. Joel 2:12
Yet even now, says the Lord, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning”.
Reflection: Fasting requires commitment and sacrifice. It’s a period of great self-control and discipline. It’s becoming less self-centered, needy and self-absorbed. It’s swallowing our ego and dying to ourselves. God loves us and He wants us to have a relationship with Him – a relationship in which our focus and priorities is living to please Him in every way. Let’s search our hearts and if we find that we wandered from His ways, let’s approach His throne with fasting, weeping and mourning. And God who is faithful will show us His loving-kindness, mercy and grace.
Pray the verse: Loving Father, I turned my back on you and your commandments. Please forgive me, and help me live according to your Word. Amen.
4. Psalm 69:10
When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach.
Reflection: The beautiful Psalm 69 was written by David. Do you remember what the apostle Paul said about David? Paul said in Acts 13:22 that God called him: ‘A man after my own heart’. David wasn’t flawless, but God had a special love for him because he was humble, obedient, faithful – and above all, always willing to recognize his faults and beg for God’s forgiveness. And, one way he did that was through fasting. We all know that going days without food is not easy for anyone. That’s without doubt one of the best ways to show that you’re truly sorry.
Pray the verse: Dear Lord, give me the traits that your servant David had. Humble to recognize my faults and ask you forgiveness. Trusting to have confidence in you only, and not leaning on my own understanding. Loving to love you above everything, and my neighbor as myself. Devoted to fulfill my Christian duties without complaining. Obedient to your commandments and plans. Faithful to You and my family. And hopeful – waiting on a future filled with your blessings. Amen.
5. Matthew 4:4
It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.
Reflection: Our bodies needs food and fluid, otherwise we’ll die. That’s the way God has created us. But, besides physical food to nourish our body, we need spiritual food to fuel our soul and spirit. That spiritual food is nothing else than the mighty and powerful Word of God – the Bible. In our fasting period, we could make an extra effort to ‘indulge’ more in God’s Word. Thus, not only reading it, but studying it, meditating on it, and even memorizing verses.
Pray the verse: Father, help me understand that I need to feed on your Word so I can mature in faith and live as you desire. Help me understand that your Word is a lamp of guidance for my feet, and a light that illuminate my path. Amen.
Verses to Meditate on While Fasting
Stop eating for a while is not easy. Everyone knows that. Therefore, we need a huge dose of inspiration and encouragement during fasting. You know, something to not only keep our minds distracted, but also lift up our soul and push us to persevere. And, what’s better than the Word of God?
I don’t know about you. But, I really believe that the Bible is the greatest inspirational book of all time. The Holy Scripture is like balm to our hearts and a burning fire that will lift up our spirit. So, every time you feel like giving up on your fasting, read these Bible verses over and over again.
6. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
7. Isaiah 40:31
Those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
8. Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
9. 2 Timothy 1:7
God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
10. Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
Examples of Fasting in the Bible
The Bible is full of extraordinary examples of people fasting for various reasons, such as fast and praying for a miracle, fasting before a major event, repentance and mourning over a sin, fasting for a breakthrough, etc. What follows are some of those examples. May they inspire and remind you that what you’re doing will not be in vain.
3 people in the Bible fasted for 40 days before a major event:
- Moses fasted for 40 days and nights before receiving the tablets of the 10 commandments from God. Read: Deuteronomy 9:9-18
- After 40 days of fasting in the desert – along with facing temptation and being tested – , Jesus started his public ministry. Read: Matthew 4
- Elijah, the prophet, went without food for 40 days while traveling to Mount Horeb. The Lord appeared to Him on that mountain. Read: 1 Kings 19
People that fasted to show grief and repentance:
- David fasted for the healing of his child – which was the fruit of his adultery with Bathsheba. His intention was to show repentance and hope that God may forgive him and heal the kid. Read: 2 Samuel 12
- Nehemiah mourned and fasted when he heard Jerusalem’s walls and gates were broken down. During his fast, he prayed for God’s forgiveness because the People were at fault in God’s eyes. Read: Nehemiah 1
- The people of Nineveh, including their royal family and their animals, fasted for days after Jonah told them that the Lord will destroy them for being evil. God saw their grief and forgave them. Read: Jonah 3
Fasting for wisdom, understanding and guidance:
- Daniel refrained from eating fancy food – meat and wine – for three weeks until an angel of the Lord appeared to him and explained the meaning of a vision he got earlier. Also, Daniel used the same approach earlier – for him and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah – to appear healthier and smarter before King Nebuchadnezzar. This Bible story is best known today as ‘The Daniel Diet/Fast’. Read: Daniel 1 and 10
- Before appointing elders in new churches that they opened, Paul and Barnabas sought first Gods guidance through prayer and fasting. Read: Acts 14
- In the early days of the Church, it was very common to pray and fast for guidance before sending out missionaries. Read: Acts 13
- Esther wanted to approach the King and ask him to not allow the killing of the Jews. But, before she went, she – along with all the Jews living in Susa that time – fasted for three days and night. What happened next? God delivered them and destroy their enemy instead. Read: Esther 4 and 5
Other reasons:
- The Israelites prayed and fasted to win a battle in Judges 20:26
- Hannah became very depressed because she couldn’t get pregnant. She fasted and prayed to God for a son. God heard and she gave birth to Samuel – which went to become one of the most influential prophets of Israel. He played a key role in the transition from judges to the establishment of royal families and lineage for Israel. Read: 1 Samuel 1:2-2:21
- Another example is the 84 years old widow who never left the Temple, but worshiped God day and night with prayer and fasting. Read Luke 2:37
