What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? Fasting is one of the most important spiritual exercises. It features tremendous benefits when done rightly. That’s why we hereby write to reveal what the Bible says about fasting worth knowing by all Christians. An objective look across the Old Testament reveals how God commanded the children of Israel to observe several designated times of fasting. During the days of Christ, we realize that fasting was neither commanded nor forbidden. However, Christ showed us an example of a fasting life and even talked of His followers fasting after His ascension into Heaven. As His followers, it is just normal for us to embrace a fasting life in His likeness. Most early Christians practice prayer and fasting regularly as a way of growing spiritually.

Behold brethren, let no one deceive you for fasting and prayer are Christian duties which should be observed diligently. Jesus Christ Himself affirmed that after His death, fasting would be appropriate for His followers. Let’s support this message by reading from Luke 5:35 – “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” In simple terms, fasting clearly has a place and purpose in the lives of Christians today. This spiritual truth is supported by the Deep Spiritual Scriptures On Fasting. Fasting helps to establish a more intimate relationship between us and our savior, Jesus Christ. In addition, fasting opens our eyes on spiritual truths as it takes us for a higher spiritual walk with Christ Jesus.

What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Facts on what the Scriptures say about Fasting

What is Fasting?

In most cases as we can read from the Scriptures About Fasting, a spiritual fast has to do with abstaining from food while focusing on prayer. In simple terms, this can mean abstaining from snacks between meals, skipping one or two meals a day, abstaining from particular foods, or practicing a total fast from all food for one or more days. However, some people may not be able to fast from food altogether due to complicated medical situations. Such people may simply choose to abstain from certain foods, like chocolate or sugar, or from something different from food. The whole truth is that believer in Jesus Christ can fast from anything. That is, doing without something temporally in order to subdue the body and focus on prayer.

An example of fasting from anything here could be refraining from television or redirecting our focus from any earthly thing to the things of God. Such is still considered a spiritual fast so long as it pulls back the body from its desires and wants for the sake of focusing on the things of God. The Holy Scriptures present fasting as the very spiritual act of abstaining from Food, Drinks, or Bodily Desires in order to seek God’s face or will. Note that genuine fasting is led by the Holy Spirit just as it led Jesus Christ after His Baptism into the desert for fasting (Matthew 4:1-2). Such is the type of fasting that moves the heart and hand of God into action thereby manifesting or materializing what seems impossible to the human eye and mind.

The Purpose of Spiritual Fasting

You probably know that many people fast to lose weight. However, dieting is not the purpose of a spiritual fast. A spiritual fast rather provides unique spiritual benefits in the life of a believer. Fasting is like knocking the heavenly doors for divine help even in the face of hopeless situations (Matthew 7:7-8). Remember that All Things Are Possible With God Almighty. In short, impossibility exist only before the eyes and minds of men and women. God did it in the past, He is still doing it these days, and He will certainly do it even in times to come.

Whatever be the situation or problem that we are going through, let’s simply knock the doors of Heaven for a solution. Remember that Heaven is God’s dwelling place (Matthew 5:34). For God Himself spoke through Prophet Jeremiah saying, “Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 29:12). Fasting requires self-control and discipline since the one practicing it must deny the natural desires of the flesh for God’s sake. Genuine spiritual fasting directs our hunger towards God. During this spiritual exercise, the believer’s focus is removed from the physical things of this world and actively concentrated on the Kingdom of God. In addition, it draws us closer to God and makes us more receptive to His voice. Hence, we hear God’s voice more clearly and are more willing to follow His ways.

What Fasting is Not

Fasting is not a public display of spirituality; but a practice between you and God. Spiritual fasting is not necessarily to move God to do something in our lives. At times, we fast just to experience a spiritual transformation or to go closer to God in as much as we can fast as a way of thanking Him for His goodness in our lives. Remember that fasting is a spiritual act between you and God alone. Hence, you should not make it a public show as the hypocrites do. As for such people, they’ve already received their public reward and should not expect anything from God. Christ pointed out that making this spiritual practice a public show actually forfeit its benefits. In addition to this, Christ instructed us to carryout our fasting in private and in all humility (Matthew 6:16-18).

Let’s support our point by reading from Matthew 6:16-18 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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.” 

How Long Should I Fast?

Truth be told, there is no specific duration for fasting. However, fasting, especially from food, should be limited to a reasonable length of time. Fasting for to long without directives from the Holy Spirit can cause severe harm to the body. Hence, your decision to fast should be guided by the Holy Spirit just as it did for Jesus Christ and other Biblical figures. It is recommended, especially for those who are still new in the fasting practice to seek medical and spiritual counsel before embarking on a prolonged fasting. While Jesus and Moses both fasted for 40 days and nights without food and water, it is without doubt that this was an impossible human achievement, which could only be achieved through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and under its directives. There are stories of many who have tried this and ended up dying before completion.

Below are some examples of fasting from the Bible that you can embrace and boost your spiritual growth and walk with God:

1. One day or part of a day (1 Samuel 7:6; Judges 20:26; 2 Samuel 1:12; 3:35;Jeremiah 36:6; Nehemiah 9:1)
2. One-night fast (Daniel 6:18–24)
3. Three-day fasts (Acts 9:9; Esther 4:16)
4. Seven-day fasts (2 Samuel 12:16–23; 1 Samuel 31:13)
5. Fourteen-day fast (Acts 27:33–34)
6. Twenty-one day fast (Daniel 10:3–13)
7. Forty-day fasts (Deuteronomy 9:9; Matthew 4:2; 1 Kings 19:8)
8. Fasts of unspecified lengths (Luke 2:37; Matthew 9:14; Acts 13:2; 14:23).”

Fasting duration groups

1. Occasional short fasts

The occasional short fast is characterized by self-denial of food or some other form of pleasure for a lasting period of say 6, 12, or 24-hours. Such is a one time fast for a purpose which does not come with a commitment to make it again.

2. Intermittent fast

The intermittent fast is normally a regular act of abstinence which can take place say one time a week. Here, you abstain from food or make some other kind of self sacrifice for the sake of getting closer to God. Such practice integrates the spiritual discipline of fasting in your life and makes it a lifestyle.

3. Longer fasts

A longer fast just like others can be about self-denial of food or some other sacrifice in order to focus on the things of God. Here, a non-food fast could be abstaining from watching TV from Monday to Friday. Hence, taking the time to meditate on the Laws of God, praise and worship Him. Here, you can as well dedicate every evening for a period of one week to pray and share the word of god with friends. You can as well go without food for a given period of time as led by the Holy Spirit. A longer-water only fast can last from one to three days. During this period, you abstain from food and consume just water. If you embrace something other than food for the fast, it is likely to last longer.

4. Extended fasts

The extended fast is actually the hard part of this spiritual exercise. Here, you willingly choose to give up something that you need or value for an extended period of time. An example of a non-food extended fast could be deciding to wake-up an hour earlier for spiritual meditation, praise and worship during a period of one month.

5. Occasional group fasts

Such is the type of fasting called by a Church, or group of Churches. Such can also apply to a nation during times of crisis. It is then that you hear a call for everyone to partake in such.

6. Open-ended fasts

Here, everything revolves around defining and accomplishing goals. That is, you make a commitment not to break the fast until your goals are achieved. Some extended fasts are open-ended fasts.

7. Longer group fasts

Here, the range of options for a group fast is extensive. Everyone can decide to fast at the same time or go on a rotational pattern. The members of the group will have to determine whether it is an open-ended fast or not.

How Often Should I Fast?

There is no fix spiritual pattern for Christian fasting. However, it is important for the New Testament Christians to regularly practice prayer and fasting. Since there is no Biblical command to fast, believers or followers of Christ should be led by God through prayer concerning when, for how long, and how often to fast.

Examples of Fasting in the Bible

Old Testament

Below are examples of fasting that we can find in the Old Testament of the Bible:

1. Moses fasted 40 days on behalf of Israel’s sin (Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25-29; 10:10.)
2. King David fasted and mourned the death of King Saul (2 Samuel 1:12)
3. David fasted and mourned the death of his child (2 Samuel 12:16)
4. King David fasted and mourned the death of Abner (2 Samuel 3:35)
5. Prophet Elijah fasted 40 days after fleeing from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:7-18)
6. Ahab fasted and humbled himself before God Almighty (1 Kings 21:27-29)
7. Darius fasted in concern and love for Daniel (Daniel 6:18-24)
8. Daniel fasted on behalf of Judah’s sin while reading Jeremiah’s prophecy (Daniel 9:1-19)
9. Prophet Daniel fasted regarding a mysterious vision from God (Daniel 10:3-13)
10. Queen Esther fasted on behalf of her people (Esther 4:13-16)
11. Ezra fasted and wept for the sins of the returning remnant as he called on god for help (Ezra 10:6-17)
12. Nehemiah actively fasted and mourned greatly over the broken walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4-2:10)
13. The people of Ninevah repented and fasted after hearing the message of Prophet Jonah (Jonah 3)

New Testament

Below are examples of fasting that we can find in the New Testament of the Bible:

1. Anna fasted for the redemption of Jerusalem through the promised Messiah who was to come (Luke 2:37)
2. Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days before His temptation and the beginning of His Earthly Ministry (Matthew 4:1-11)
3. The disciples of John the Baptist regularly fasted (Matthew 9:14-15)
4. The elders of the Church in Antioch fasted before sending off Paul and Barnabas to do God’s work (Acts 13:1-5)
5. Cornelius fasted and sought God’s plan of salvation (Acts 10:30)
6. Apostle Paul fasted three days after his Damascus Road encounter (Acts 9:9)
7. Apostle Paul fasted 14 days while at sea on a sinking ship as he called on God for divine intervention (Acts 27:33-34)

The Things Fasting Does For Spiritual Life

Below are a few things that fasting does for our spiritual life or walk with Jesus Christ:

1. Fasting and Prayer makes us more receptive to God’s voice
2. Through fasting and prayer, we can hear God more clearly
3. Fasting an prayer strengthens our relationship with God and takes us closer to His sanctuary
4. Fasting and prayer can teach us how to pray the right motives and pray God’s will
5. Through fasting and prayer, we are able to build our faith for higher accomplishments for the Kingdom of God

Types of Fasting

1. Fasting from food

Here, the believer forgoes food partially or completely for a given period of time in order to focus on prayer and other things of God’s Kingdom. Here, he or she could pass more time praising God, worshiping Him, and/or meditating on His laws.

2. Fasting from drink

Here, the believer forgoes drink partially or fully for a given period of time in order to concentrate or focus on God and the things of Heaven. He/she can dwell on studying the Bible, praising God, and/or worshiping Him for who He is.

3. Social Media Fast

The social media fast is turning to become one of the most common types of fast in our culture. Today, it’s almost impossible for one to separate or stay off the social media for a significant period of time. Almost everyone visits these platforms repetitively or for a good number of times in a day. It is unfortunate that some have even become addicted to social media platforms and can’t stay off for up-to an hour. With this type of fasting, you simply log out of your accounts or delete them from your electronic devices and spend some quite time with God. During this time, you pray, praise and worship Him. In addition, you can also study His Laws and make them part of yourself.

4. TV/Movie Fast

Here, you can forgo or take a break from a weekly favorite in order to study the Bible. That is, you forgo watching TV or your favorite movie in order to do something that please God or leads to the advancement of His kingdom like evangelism.

5. Secular Music Fast

This is another form of fasting in which you decide to listen to a Christian radio station for period of time rather than listening to Top Hits on the Radio. Here, you can as well listen to a Christian podcast or audio-book rather than listening your favorite non-christian audios.

6. Fast from going out

Here, you simply have a look at your calendar and pick a night when you’d usually go out for pleasure and rather spend that time praising and worshiping God. You can as well spend it studying His word and writing His Laws in your heart so that they become part of you.

The circumstances under which some Biblical figures fasted

1. When seeking help and guidance from God (Ezra 8:​21-​23)
2. When focusing on God’s purpose (Luke 4:​1, 2)
3. As a way of demonstrating their repentance over past sin(Joel 2:​12-​15)
4. When observing the day of adornment (Leviticus 16:29-​31)

Improper motives for fasting

1. To impress others (Matthew 6:​16-​18)
2. As a way of proving one’s self righteous (Luke 18:​9-​14)

What The Bible Says About Fasting

Acts 13:3 – “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

Joel 2:12 – “Even now,” declares the Lord,“return to me with all your heart,with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Ezra 8:23 – “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”

Matthew 6:17-18 – “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.”

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?”

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.””

Luke 4:2 – “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.”

Exodus 34:28 – “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.”

Daniel 10:3 – “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.”

Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Fasting

Psalm 69:10 – “When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.”

Matthew 6:18 – “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.”

Joel 2:12 – “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;”

Matthew 6:16-18 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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.”

Isaiah 58:3-7 – “‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this 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?“

Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Fasting

Luke 4:2 – “For forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.“

Daniel 10:3 – “I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

Acts 14:23 – “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Ezra 8:23 – “So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.”

Psalm 35:13 – “But I, when they were sick— I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest.”

Nehemiah 1:4 – “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

Matthew 4:4 – But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Isaiah 58:6 – “Is not this 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?”

Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Fasting

Ezra 8:21-23 – “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. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.”

Luke 18:12 – “I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.”

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.””

Matthew 6:16 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Exodus 34:28 – “So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”

Acts 13:3 – “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Luke 2:37 – “And then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.”

Daniel 9:3 – “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.”

Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Fasting

1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Matthew 4:2 – “And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

Esther 4:16 – “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Isaiah 58:1-14 – “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, ...”

Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Fasting

Ezra 8:21 – “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.”

Acts 9:9 – “And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

Isaiah 58:6-7 – “Is not this 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? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Matthew 9:15 – “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.”

Mark 9:29 – And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Judges 20:26 – “Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.”

2 Samuel 1:12 – “And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”

Group 6 – What The Bible Says About Fasting

1 Corinthians 7:1-5 – “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

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? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Matthew 9:14 – Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

Ezra 10:6 – “Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles.”

Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Jonah 3:5-10 – “And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.””

Mark 2:18 – “Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?””

Zechariah 7:5 – “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?”

Joel 1:14 – “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.”

Isaiah 58:3 – “‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.”

Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Mark 2:18-20 – “Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.”

2 Corinthians 11:27 – “In toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

Nehemiah 9:1 – “Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads.”

Matthew 6:17-18 – “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.”

2 Samuel 12:16 – “David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.”

1 Samuel 7:6 – “So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.”

Daniel 10:2-3 – “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Zechariah 8:19 – “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.”

1 Kings 19:8 – “And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”

2 Samuel 12:16 – “David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.”

1 Samuel 7:6 – “So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.”

1 Samuel 31:13 – “And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.”

Acts 10:30 – “And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.”

Daniel 6:18 – “Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.”

Acts 13:2-3 – “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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Isaiah 58:5-8 – “Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this 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? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

Esther 4:3 – “And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.”

Acts 13:1-3 – “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “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.”

Luke 5:33-35 – And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Matthew 4:1-11 – “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, …”

Exodus 34:28-29 – “So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.”

Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

2 Samuel 12:16-22 – “David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” ...”

Psalm 109:24 – “My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat.”

Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Matthew 4:1-2 – “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

Psalm 35:13-14 – “But I, when they were sick— I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting, I prayed with head bowed on my chest. I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.”

Joel 2:15 – “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;”

Jeremiah 14:12 – “Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”

2 Samuel 3:35 – Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!”

James 1:1-27 – “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …”

Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

1 John 2:1-29 – “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …”

Daniel 10:1-3 – “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

Acts 27:33 – “As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.”

Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Matthew 17:20-22 – “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men,”

Matthew 17:20 – He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Joel 2:12-13 – ““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

1 Corinthians 8:8 – “Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.”

2 Chronicles 20:3 – “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

Luke 5:34-35 – And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Luke 5:33 – And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”

James 1:17-27 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ...”

Acts 27:9 – “Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,”

1 Kings 21:27 – “And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.”

2 Samuel 12:15-17 – “Then Nathan went to his house. And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.”

Group 17 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

1 Timothy 2:1-15 – “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …”

Leviticus 23:26-32 – “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the Lord. And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whoever is not afflicted on that very day shall be cut off from his people. And whoever does any work on that very day, that person I will destroy from among his people. …”

Group 18 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 – “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field, Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …”

Mark 1:13 – “And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

Luke 5:35 – “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Matthew 4:1-4 – “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””

Group 19 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Leviticus 16:29 – “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.”

Jeremiah 36:9 – “In the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem proclaimed a fast before the Lord.”

2 Samuel 12:21 – Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”

Group 20 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Deuteronomy 9:18 – “Then I lay prostrate before the Lord as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger.”

Esther 4:15-16 –

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Group 21 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

Acts 13:1-52 – “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. …”

Group 22 – What Does The Bible Say About Fasting?

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 – “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— …”

Daniel 9:3-5 – “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.”

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