Fasting is a significant spiritual practice found throughout the Bible, often associated with prayer, repentance, and seeking a deeper connection with God. It is a powerful way to humble ourselves and draw closer to the Lord, setting aside physical sustenance to focus on our spiritual needs and growth. The Scriptures provide various insights into the importance and purpose of fasting, illustrating how it can transform our hearts and minds.
In this collection, we present 30 Bible verses that highlight the significance of fasting in the life of believers. These verses offer wisdom, guidance, and inspiration for those who seek to deepen their faith through this ancient practice. Whether you’re new to fasting or looking to enrich your spiritual routine, these passages will encourage and challenge you to engage in this meaningful discipline.
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Now, therefore, says the LORD, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
Say to all the people of the land and to the priests: When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?
Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise.
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
When you are in distress, I will fast before the Lord; I will not eat or drink, I will cry out to Him.
So He said to them, This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.
And this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that became my reproach.
So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Then they said to Him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?
So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
And Jesus said to them, Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
But He said to them, I have food to eat of which you do not know.
So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You take no notice?’ In fact, in the day of your fast, you find pleasure, and neglect all your labor.
Famous and Strong Quotes about fasting
The hunger of the body is a reminder to feed the soul.
To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
The beginning of health is found in the fresh and pure air of the morning.
Prayer is an act of love. Words are not needed. Even if sickness should prevent you from being able to pray, you can still love.
Fasting is both a physical and mental practice.
Seeking God Through Fasting
Dear Heavenly Father,
In this time of fasting, we come before You with humble hearts. We seek to draw closer to You, to quiet our minds and listen for Your voice. As we abstain from food, may we feast on Your Word and find strength in Your presence.
Help us to remember the true purpose of fasting: to transform our hearts and align our will with Yours. May this act of sacrifice deepen our faith and renew our spirits. Teach us to rely on You alone, trusting in Your provision and guidance.
Lord, as we seek You in our hunger, may we also be reminded of those in need. Let our fasting inspire acts of compassion and service to others. Fill us with Your love and grace, so that we can reflect Your light in the world.
We pray for clarity and insight during these days of fasting. Guide us in our prayers, and let us emerge strengthened and invigorated, ready to fulfill Your purpose for our lives.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.