What does the Bible say about fasting?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline found throughout the pages of the Bible, woven into the rhythms of repentance, prayer, and renewal. While not mandated as a law for Christians, fasting is portrayed in Scripture as a powerful act of devotion—one that shapes the heart, strengthens dependence on God, and aligns the believer with His purposes. From the prophets to the teachings of Jesus, the Bible speaks of fasting as a humble and hopeful response to God's presence and work.
This article explores how the Bible presents fasting, its purpose, its connection to the Gospel, and its enduring value for believers today.
1. Fasting in the Bible Is a Posture of the Heart
Throughout the Bible, fasting is closely associated with repentance, humility, and a desire for communion with God. It is more than simply going without food. Biblical fasting is a deliberate turning of attention toward the Lord—body and soul—during times of need, sorrow, or spiritual preparation.
Joel 2:12–13 offers a defining picture: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning…rend your hearts and not your garments.” This prophetic call highlights that fasting must come from the heart, not just from the stomach. It is not a religious performance, but a spiritual realignment.
In this way, the Bible warns against fasting as a show of piety. The people of Israel were rebuked when they fasted outwardly but continued in injustice and oppression (Isaiah 58:3–7). A true fast, acceptable to God, involves mercy, justice, and compassion for others. The discipline of fasting is meant to produce transformation, not pride.
2. Jesus Assumed His Followers Would Fast
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself affirms the place of fasting in the life of His people. Before beginning His public ministry, He fasted for forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2), enduring temptation and showing complete reliance on the Father. His victory over Satan’s lies began with a declaration: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Fasting becomes a signpost pointing to that deeper hunger.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught: “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” (Matthew 6:17–18). Note the wording—when you fast, not if. Christ assumes His followers will fast but warns against using the practice for show. Fasting must not be about religious appearances but about seeking the Father with sincerity.
Later, when asked why His disciples didn’t fast while He was with them, Jesus replied that the bridegroom’s presence was a time for celebration—but when He was taken away, “then they will fast” (Mark 2:20). Fasting, then, is appropriate in this present age of longing and expectation. It expresses the ache for the full arrival of God’s Kingdom.
3. Fasting Is Frequently Linked to Prayer and Repentance
The Bible frequently connects fasting with prayer, confession, and intercession. In moments of national crisis or personal burden, God’s people turned to Him through fasting.
Daniel fasted as he confessed the sins of Israel and pleaded for mercy (Daniel 9:3–5). Nehemiah fasted upon hearing about the broken state of Jerusalem, weeping and praying before taking action (Nehemiah 1:4). Esther called her people to fast as she prepared to confront the king on behalf of her people (Esther 4:16). In each case, fasting was not magic—it was a humble posture of seeking God’s help, mercy, or guidance in a moment of desperation.
In Joel 2:15–16, the prophet calls for a communal fast: “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly.” Fasting is not only personal—it is sometimes corporate. The Bible shows the church in Acts doing the same. Before appointing elders and sending out missionaries, they fasted and prayed (Acts 13:2–3; Acts 14:23). These rhythms remind us that fasting is never detached from seeking God's face through prayer and repentance.
4. Fasting Is Not a Way to Earn Favor—but to Grow in Faith
It is vital to understand that fasting, according to the Bible, is never a means of earning God's approval. The Gospel declares that Christ alone is our righteousness, and our standing before God rests in His grace, not our performance. Yet fasting remains a meaningful response to grace—it does not secure salvation but deepens our awareness of it.
By voluntarily setting aside food, believers make space to recognize their deeper hunger. Fasting exposes our dependence on lesser things and trains us to desire what truly satisfies. It’s not about self-punishment; it’s about clarity—learning to say, “God, I need you more than I need daily bread.”
In light of the bigger Gospel story, fasting can be seen as a longing for restoration. It’s a discipline that reflects the already and not yet of Christ’s Kingdom. We fast not only because we are grieved by sin but because we are waiting for the day when mourning will be no more. Fasting joins prayer, Scripture meditation, and worship as part of the church’s witness to the coming renewal of all things.
5. Fasting Is Still a Vital Practice for the Church Today
Though often neglected, fasting remains a powerful spiritual discipline for modern Christians. It quiets the noise, awakens the heart, and sharpens the mind. In a culture obsessed with comfort and consumption, fasting is countercultural—it reorients the soul toward God's purposes.
The Bible never sets rigid rules for how or when to fast, but it provides many examples to guide us. Fasting can be done privately or corporately, for a meal or a season. It may be linked with specific prayer requests, spiritual renewal, or preparing for ministry. Whatever the form, the purpose is the same: to seek God more fully.
As Jesus reminds us, life is not sustained by bread alone. True sustenance comes from the Word of God. In fasting, we proclaim that God is our portion. We embrace dependence, confess sin, seek wisdom, and cultivate longing for Christ’s return.
Conclusion: Fasting in the Bible as a Kingdom Practice
So what does the Bible say about fasting? It says that fasting is not about outward appearances or legalistic rituals—it is about cultivating a deeper relationship with God. It is an embodied act of repentance, faith, and hope. It is a Gospel-shaped discipline that prepares the church to long for Christ, to live by His Word, and to participate in His ongoing work of renewal.
Fasting invites believers to say with their bodies what their hearts know to be true: “Lord, I need you.” And in that place of hunger and humility, God meets His people—not with condemnation, but with grace and power.
Bible verses about fasting:
Joel 2:12, "Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
Matthew 6:17–18, "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."
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?"
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."
Ezra 8:23, "So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty."
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."
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 2:37, "She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day."
Esther 4:16, "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf... Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."
Matthew 4:2, "And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."
