Fasting is the act of abstaining from something, sometimes a type of food or a personal pleasure, for a specific period of time. It has been used as a spiritual practice for centuries as a way to grieve, a way to show self discipline, and a way to draw closer to God. Fasting is found throughout the Bible and is still a popular practice during the Lent season. But why? Reading Bible verses for fasting can help us understand it in a deeper way.
If you’re considering a fast, check with your doctor before beginning to make sure it’s medically safe for you to do so.
Types of Fasting
There are many spiritual benefits to fasting and many ways to do so. Instead of abstaining from food, perhaps you are considering a different kind of fast (don’t forget that Sundays don’t count during Lent). Some other types of fasting include:
- Giving up technology or not doomscrolling
- Give up waste by going more green this Lent
- Not using a social media platform
- Stopping negative thoughts
- Giving up sarcasm
- Not gossiping
READ MORE: What to Give Up for Lent: 15 Meaningful Suggestions
Fasting in the Bible
In the Bible, there are various references to people fasting. Scripture with Bible verses for fasting include:
- Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, which is why we fast for 40 days during Lent (Matthew 4:1-11)
- The prophet Daniel fasted for 21 days, eating only fruits and vegetables and drinking only water (Daniel 10: 2-3)
- In the Book of Luke, a prophetess named Anna stays in a temple while fasting and praying (Luke 2:36–38)
- David and his men fast until evening after learning about Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1:12)
Whether you’re fasting as a personal spiritual exercise or as a community, and whether you’re limiting your food or your time online, the Bible offers many Lent verses and words of wisdom on fasting. Here are ten of our favorite Bible verses for fasting to motivate and inspire you to keep the faith during fasting.
15 Bible Verses for Fasting
- You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:3)
- And when you fast, do not look gloomy…anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)
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- Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will [be done]. (Mark 14:36)
- 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? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:6-7)
- So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. (Ezra 8:23)
- Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
- But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
- At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1:12-13)
- Pray that you may not enter into temptation. (Luke 22:40)
- “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)
- Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ …your Heavenly Father knows what you need. (Matthew 6:31-32)
- I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God… (Ephesians 6:10)
![Fasting Bible verses stating Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will [be done].](https://guideposts.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Fasting-Bible-verses-stating-Nevertheless-not-what-I-will-but-what-You-will-be-done.-768x768.png)
READ MORE ABOUT LENT AND FASTING:
