70+ Helpful Bible Verses for Fasting Guidance

“Fasting is a significant spiritual practice that has been followed by many for centuries.”

It is not just about abstaining from food or drink; it is a powerful tool for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and strengthening one’s connection with God. In the Bible, fasting is often linked with prayer, repentance, and seeking God’s guidance. As believers seek a deeper relationship with the Lord, fasting becomes an essential discipline to help them achieve clarity, focus, and spiritual renewal.

The Bible provides numerous examples and verses that shed light on the purpose of fasting. Whether for spiritual focus, repentance, deliverance, or healing, fasting has been a source of strength for people of faith throughout history. In this post, we will explore key Bible verses that offer guidance and inspiration for fasting. These verses not only offer insight into the purpose of fasting but also show how it serves as a means to humble oneself before God and seek His will.

In addition to these verses, we will discuss the importance of fasting in different aspects of life. From spiritual growth to physical healing, fasting has multiple dimensions that are encouraged in the Bible. Whether you’re new to fasting or looking to strengthen your practice, these scriptures will provide the encouragement and wisdom you need to pursue fasting with intention and purpose.

Table of Contents

Fasting for Spiritual Focus

Fasting helps believers turn their attention away from worldly distractions and focus on God’s will. It is a time to seek His guidance, deepen your relationship with Him, and align your life with His purpose.

Bible Verses for Spiritual Focus:

Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV) – “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, anoint 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.”
Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV) – “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Luke 5:33-35 (NIV) – “They said to him, ‘John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.’ Jesus answered, ‘Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.'”

Matthew 4:1-2 (NIV) – “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
Acts 13:2-3 (NIV) – “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.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Daniel 9:3 (NIV) – “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV) – “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Ezra 8:21-23 (NIV) – “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.”

Real-Life Example:
A person struggling with work stress and family challenges might use fasting to clear their mind and reconnect with God. By focusing on prayer during their fast, they experience spiritual renewal, a deeper sense of purpose, and clarity on the next steps in their personal and professional life.

Fasting and Repentance

Fasting is often a way to express repentance, a turning away from sin, and seeking God’s forgiveness. It is an act of humility before God, recognizing our need for His grace and mercy.

Bible Verses on Fasting and Repentance:

Joel 2:12-13 (NIV) – “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
Jonah 3:5-10 (NIV) – “The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in the dust.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Luke 18:13 (NIV) – “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'”
Isaiah 58:3 (NIV) – “Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?”
Psalm 51:17 (NIV) – “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
Ezra 9:5-6 (NIV) – “Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from myself a humiliation, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the Lord my God and prayed.”
Matthew 9:14-15 (NIV) – “Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'”

Real-Life Example:
A man might have turned away from destructive behaviors like addiction or dishonesty. Through fasting, he seeks God’s forgiveness and mercy, feeling convicted in his heart. The fasting process enables him to turn from his old ways and make amends, finding a path to healing and renewal.

Fasting for Deliverance and Protection

Fasting is a way to seek God’s protection and deliverance from trials, oppression, and difficult circumstances.

Bible Verses on Fasting for Deliverance:

2 Chronicles 20:3 (NIV) – “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.”
Esther 4:16 (NIV) – “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV) – “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Daniel 10:2-3 (NIV) – “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”
Matthew 17:21 (KJV) – “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Psalm 34:4 (NIV) – “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Mark 9:29 (NIV) – “He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.'”
Luke 4:2 (NIV) – “Where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”

Real-Life Example:
A woman facing a serious illness may engage in fasting to seek God’s intervention and protection, trusting in His power to heal and deliver her from sickness. As she prays and fasts, she finds strength, courage, and faith in God’s ability to restore her health.

Fasting and Physical Healing

Fasting is often seen as a way to restore one’s physical health by seeking divine healing. It is believed that fasting, when combined with prayer, brings restoration to the body and mind.

Bible Verses on Fasting and Physical Healing:

Isaiah 58:8 (NIV) – “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”
James 5:14-15 (NIV) – “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
Exodus 15:26 (NIV) – “He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'”
Psalm 103:2-3 (NIV) – “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV) – “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
Matthew 4:24 (NIV) – “News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) – “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Mark 2:17 (NIV) – “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'”

Real-Life Example:
A person suffering from chronic pain or illness may choose to fast and pray, seeking God’s intervention for physical healing. During this time, they may experience a shift in their health as their body responds to the healing power of God through both prayer and the cleansing process of fasting.

Fasting for Inner Strength and Clarity

Fasting is a practice that allows people to disconnect from worldly distractions and focus on God, which in turn brings inner strength and clarity. It helps believers gain insight into their challenges and strengthens their resolve.

Bible Verses on Fasting for Inner Strength and Clarity:

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Matthew 17:21 (KJV) – “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Psalm 28:7 (NIV) – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Psalm 119:28 (NIV) – “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV) – “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) – “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'”

Real-Life Example:
A woman facing a major life decision or career change might fast to seek clarity and strength from God. By focusing on prayer and fasting, she gains a clear sense of direction and confidence in making the right decision, feeling empowered and at peace with the choice she makes.

Encouragements and Warnings About Fasting

While fasting is a beneficial practice, it also comes with warnings. It is important not to fast for the wrong reasons or with the wrong attitude. The Bible encourages believers to fast in humility and sincerity.

Bible Verses on Encouragements and Warnings About Fasting:

Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV) – “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.”
Isaiah 58:5-7 (NIV) – “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?”
Zechariah 7:5 (NIV) – “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?'”
Matthew 9:14-15 (NIV) – “Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'”
Luke 18:9-14 (NIV) – “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”‘ But the tax collector stood at a distance.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV) – “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
Isaiah 58:9-10 (NIV) – “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

Real-Life Example:
A person might start fasting to seek recognition or praise from others, but quickly realizes that true fasting is about humbling oneself before God, not seeking attention. Once they shift their focus back to humility and devotion, they experience the true rewards of fasting—spiritual growth and closeness to God.

Fasting as Communion with God

Fasting is an intimate act of communion with God. It is a way to seek His presence more fully and to experience a deeper connection with Him.

Bible Verses on Fasting as Communion with God:

Matthew 6:6 (NIV) – “But when you fast, anoint 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.”
Mark 1:35 (NIV) – “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Luke 5:16 (NIV) – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Exodus 34:28 (NIV) – “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.”
Acts 13:2-3 (NIV) – “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.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Joel 2:12 (NIV) – “Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Luke 4:1-2 (NIV) – “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
Matthew 26:39 (NIV) – “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'”

Real-Life Example:
A man seeking to deepen his relationship with God decides to fast for several days, using the time to pray and worship in solitude. Through this act of fasting, he experiences a profound sense of God’s presence and clarity, which brings peace and spiritual rejuvenation to his life.

Fasting and Community

Fasting can be a communal practice where believers come together to seek God’s will and experience His presence in unity. It’s a way to grow in faith together, encouraging one another in prayer and seeking answers.

Bible Verses on Fasting and Community:

Acts 13:2-3 (NIV) – “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.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Joel 2:15-16 (NIV) – “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.”
Ezra 8:21-23 (NIV) – “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
2 Chronicles 20:3 (NIV) – “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.”
Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV) – “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Acts 14:23 (NIV) – “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NIV) – “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Philippians 1:27 (NIV) – “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel.”

Real-Life Example:
A church community may choose to fast together to seek God’s guidance on a decision about outreach programs or mission work. As they fast and pray in unity, they feel a deep connection to one another, and through this communal practice, God reveals a shared vision for the future of their ministry.

Personal Growth Through Fasting

Fasting isn’t only about seeking answers or healing; it is also an opportunity for personal growth. It brings about spiritual maturity, discipline, and a deeper understanding of God’s will for one’s life.

Bible Verses on Personal Growth Through Fasting:

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
Luke 4:1-2 (NIV) – “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
James 1:2-4 (NIV) – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Isaiah 58:6-8 (NIV) – “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Colossians 3:10 (NIV) – “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Real-Life Example:
A person who has struggled with temptation or bad habits may decide to fast to break free from these chains. Through fasting, they experience not only spiritual healing but also personal growth as they develop a deeper relationship with God, gaining greater control over their emotions and actions.

How Does Fasting Deepen Your Relationship with God?

Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food or other physical needs; it is a way to strengthen one’s relationship with God. When a person fasts, they intentionally remove distractions and dedicate more time to prayer, worship, and meditation on God’s Word. This focused time leads to spiritual renewal and a deeper intimacy with God.
Fasting helps you draw closer to God by silencing the distractions around you, allowing you to listen more intently to His voice and understand His will. It strengthens your faith, humbles your heart, and renews your spiritual vigor. Through fasting, you gain a clearer perspective on God’s purpose for your life and feel more connected to His Spirit.

FAQs About Fasting and Bible Verses

Why is fasting important in the Bible?
Fasting is significant in the Bible as it is often associated with prayer, repentance, and seeking God’s guidance. It shows devotion, humility, and dependence on God for strength and direction.
How long should one fast according to the Bible?
The Bible doesn’t specify an exact duration for fasting but often mentions periods of 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, or 40 days, as seen in the examples of Moses, Esther, and Jesus.
Can fasting help with personal growth?
Yes, fasting can lead to personal growth by helping believers develop self-discipline, renew their spirit, and become more aligned with God’s will.
What should I do while fasting?
During a fast, it is essential to focus on prayer, worship, and Scripture reading. Fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it’s about spiritual renewal and connection with God.
What are the benefits of fasting for spiritual growth?
Fasting fosters spiritual growth by increasing spiritual sensitivity, breaking sinful habits, strengthening faith, and promoting a closer relationship with God.

Conclusion

Fasting is a powerful spiritual practice that brings believers closer to God. Through the Bible, we are given numerous verses that guide us on how fasting can lead to spiritual renewal, inner strength, clarity, and personal growth. By fasting with the right heart and purpose, we can experience a deeper communion with God, find healing, and gain insight into His will for our lives. Whether done individually or in community, fasting is an essential discipline that transforms our hearts and minds, drawing us nearer to God’s perfect plan.