What is Biblical Fasting? Guide to Meaning, Importance & How-To

Moses in the Book of Exodus

“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.” ~ Exodus 34:28

Daniel in the Book of Daniel

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

David in the Book of 2 Samuel

“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.” ~ 2 Samuel 1:12 ESV

John the Baptist in the Book of Matthew

“Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” Matthew 3:4 ESV

Jesus Christ in the Book of Luke

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.” ~ Luke 4:1-4 ESV

The Early Church in the Book of Acts

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping 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.” ~ Acts 13:1-3 ESV

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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.” ~ Matthew 6:16-18

“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisee 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. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” ~ Matthew 9:14-17

Meg Bucher gives a summary for fasting saying, "Fasting is a form of worship, an acknowledgment that we need God more than food. Fasting is not the same as a diet; nor is losing weight the goal of a fast. Gratitude for the food God provides gives worship to God! In all we do, the aim is to keep God on the throne of our hearts, the center of our lives, and the top of our minds."

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There are many ways to experience this spiritual discipline, including various forms detailed throughout Scripture. Here are some types of fasting found in the Bible:

1. Normal Fast: This is a complete abstention from food for a specific period. An example is found in the story of Esther when she called for a fast among the Jewish people (Esther 4:15-16).

2. Partial Fast: In a partial fast, individuals abstain from certain types of food or specific meals. Daniel's partial fast, where he abstained from rich food and wine, is an example (Daniel 10:3).

3. Absolute Fast: This involves abstaining from both food and water. It is a rare form of fasting due to its intensity. The prophet Ezra engaged in an absolute fast during a time of mourning (Ezra 10:6).

4. Corporate Fast: Fasting done by a group or community of people. In the Bible, there are instances where entire communities or nations engaged in corporate fasting to seek God's guidance or repentance (Joel 2:15-16).

5. Supernatural Fast: A fast that is divinely sustained without the person consuming food or water. The prophet Elijah experienced a supernatural fast during his journey to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).

6. Sacrificial Fast: In a sacrificial fast, individuals abstain from something they enjoy or desire as an offering to God. This could include abstaining from certain foods, leisure activities, or habits. It is not explicitly called "fasting" in the Bible, but the idea of sacrifice is present.

7. Seasonal or Regular Fast: Some fasts occur regularly or during specific seasons. The Pharisee in Jesus' parable boasted about fasting twice a week (Luke 18:12), indicating a regular practice.

8. Fasting for Repentance: Fasting is often associated with repentance and seeking God's forgiveness. The people of Nineveh fasted as a sign of repentance after Jonah's warning (Jonah 3:5-9).

9. Fasting for Guidance: Fasting is also used as a means of seeking God's guidance or discernment. The leaders in Antioch engaged in fasting before sending Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey (Acts 13:2-3).

10. Fasting for Deliverance: Fasting can be a way of seeking God's intervention and deliverance. Jehoshaphat called for a fast when facing a threat of invasion, seeking God's help (2 Chronicles 20:3).

Return to the Lord

"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." ~ Joel 2:12-13

"When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach." ~ Psalm 69:10

"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?" ~ Isaiah 58:6

"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." ~ 1 Corinthians 7:5

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

"So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty." ~ Ezra 8:23

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For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” ~ Romans 1:17

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ~ Hebrews 11:1

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. ~ Romans 10:17

For we walk by faith, not by sight. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4

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