Walking with God · How-to guides
How to Fast Biblically
If you want to fast the way the Bible describes, it is more about the heart than the technique. Scripture shows a fasting that seeks God humbly and overflows into love.
Fast to seek God, not to impress people
The Bible warns against fasting for show. Do it privately, for God alone, so it stays worship and not performance.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance.”Matthew 6:16, King James Version
Humble yourself before God
Biblical fasting is bound up with humility and dependence, admitting your need and turning to God with your whole heart.
“I humbled my soul with fasting.”Psalm 35:13, King James Version
Join it to real prayer
Throughout Scripture, fasting and prayer go together. The empty plate is a call to a fuller conversation with God.
“So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.”Ezra 8:23, King James Version
Turn from sin as you fast
The prophets tied fasting to repentance, a genuine turning of the heart back to God, not mere ritual.
“Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping.”Joel 2:12, King James Version
Let it lead to justice and mercy
The fast God chooses loosens the bonds of the oppressed and feeds the hungry. True fasting bears fruit in love.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness ... and that ye break every yoke?”Isaiah 58:6, King James Version
The One who makes this possible: Jesus
The biblical fast was always meant to point beyond itself to God, and ultimately to Jesus. He fasted forty days and overcame temptation by the Word, and He is the bread of life the fast makes room for. Fasting biblically is not about earning anything; it is emptying your hands to receive more of Christ.
Take the next step with company. You can gather the daily bread for today, spend a few minutes in worship, or bring it all to God in prayer.
Common questions
What does the Bible say about fasting?
The Bible presents fasting as humbling yourself before God to seek Him, joined with prayer and repentance and overflowing into justice and mercy. Jesus taught to fast privately, for God alone, not to be seen by others.
How is biblical fasting different from a diet?
A diet aims at the body; biblical fasting aims at the heart, setting aside food to seek God, humble yourself, and pray. Its fruit is not weight loss but nearness to God and love for others.