What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?

The Bible presents fasting, going without food for a time to seek God, as a meaningful spiritual practice throughout Scripture, joined always to prayer and a humble heart. Jesus assumed his followers would fast, warning against doing it for show. Fasting is not a hunger strike to twist God's arm but a way of saying that we hunger for him more than for bread.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on fasting, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.Matthew 6:16 (KJV)

When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance.

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.Matthew 6:18 (KJV)

Fast not to be seen of men, but of thy Father which is in secret.

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:Joel 2:12 (KJV)

Turn ye even to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?Isaiah 58:6 (KJV)

Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness and set the oppressed free?

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Acts 13:2 (KJV)

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.Matthew 4:2 (KJV)

Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights before his temptation.

What this means for you today

Fasting sharpens our hunger for God by setting aside a normal comfort to seek him more intently. It often accompanies serious prayer, repentance, or important decisions in Scripture.

Jesus warns against fasting to impress others; it is meant to be quiet, done for the Father who sees in secret. And true fasting, Isaiah reminds us, works itself out in justice and mercy, not just private piety. Those with health concerns should be wise and seek counsel about how to fast well.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus fasted and prayed, and he pointed beyond bread to himself as the true bread of life; fasting turns our hunger toward the One who satisfies the soul.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Related: God's Will · God's Timing · Hearing God's Voice · Spiritual Growth · Assurance of Salvation · All topics