Fasting is a time-honored tradition and spiritual discipline observed by many faiths, particularly within Christianity. The act of fasting, abstaining from food or other pleasures, is a way to humble ourselves before God, seek His presence, and draw closer to Him. Whether you’re embarking on a spiritual fast for the first time or you’re a seasoned veteran, having a collection of powerful Bible verses to read when fasting can deepen your experience and sustain you through the journey. Here are 30 powerful Bible verses to read when fasting, each offering encouragement, strength, and divine wisdom.
30 Powerful Bible Verses to Read When Fasting
1. Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
This verse is a reminder that our sustenance comes not from physical food alone, but from the very words of God. During fasting, this verse can help shift our focus from physical hunger to spiritual nourishment.
2. Isaiah 58:6
“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?”
Isaiah highlights the true purpose of fasting – to seek justice and liberation for those who are bound and oppressed. Fasting is not just about self-denial but also about reaching out to others in love and compassion.
3. Joel 2:12
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Fasting is a call to return to God with a repentant heart. It is a time to reflect, mourn our sins, and seek God’s forgiveness and mercy.
4. Matthew 6:16-18
“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.”
Jesus teaches that fasting should be a private and sincere act of worship, not a display for others to see. The reward for fasting comes from God, not from the approval of people.
5. Psalm 69:10
“When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn.”
This verse acknowledges the struggle and sacrifice involved in fasting, but it also reminds us that our commitment to God is worth enduring any hardship or ridicule.
6. Ezra 8:23
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
Fasting, combined with prayer, is a powerful tool for seeking God’s intervention and guidance. This verse assures us that God listens to our prayers and responds to our earnest seeking.
7. Acts 13:2-3
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.
In the early church, fasting was a means of discerning God’s will and receiving direction from the Holy Spirit. This passage illustrates how fasting can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs and decisions.
8. Daniel 9:3
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Daniel’s example shows us the intensity and sincerity with which we should approach fasting. It is a time of earnest prayer and seeking God’s face with humility and repentance.
9. 1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
This verse speaks to the importance of fasting and prayer in maintaining spiritual discipline and strength, even within the context of marriage and personal relationships.
10. Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah’s response to distressing news was to turn to God in fasting and prayer. This demonstrates how fasting can be a way to seek God’s comfort and guidance in times of trouble.
11. Psalm 35:13
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
Fasting is an expression of humility and dependence on God. Even when our prayers seem unanswered, fasting shows our commitment to seeking God’s will.
12. Luke 4:2
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.
Jesus’ own experience of fasting for 40 days in the wilderness highlights the significance of fasting in spiritual warfare and preparation for ministry.
13. Jonah 3:5
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
The story of Jonah shows how an entire city repented and turned to God through fasting and prayer, leading to God’s mercy and forgiveness.
14. 2 Samuel 12:16
David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground.
King David’s fasting was a desperate plea for God’s intervention in a dire situation. It underscores the earnestness with which we can approach God in fasting.
15. Acts 14:23
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.
Early church leaders combined fasting with prayer to seek God’s guidance and blessing in appointing leaders and making important decisions.
16. Ezra 8:21
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.
Ezra declared a fast to seek God’s protection and guidance. Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and ask for His help in our endeavors.
17. Isaiah 58:9
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,
This verse promises that God will answer our prayers when we combine fasting with righteous living, showing compassion, and seeking justice.
18. Matthew 9:14-15
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, 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.”
Jesus explained that fasting has its time and place. While He was with His disciples, they didn’t need to fast, but after His departure, fasting would become a vital practice for His followers.
19. Esther 4:16
“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.”
Queen Esther called for a fast before approaching the king with a bold request. Her example shows the power of fasting in seeking God’s favor and intervention in critical moments.
20. 1 Kings 21:27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
Even King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history, humbled himself with fasting after hearing God’s judgment. This shows that fasting can be a sign of true repentance and humility.
21. Nehemiah 9:1
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads.
This verse illustrates a collective act of fasting and repentance among the Israelites, highlighting the importance of unity in seeking God’s forgiveness and guidance.
22. Psalm 109:24
My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.
This verse emphasizes the physical toll of fasting, but also serves as a testament to the spiritual dedication and perseverance involved in seeking God’s favor.
23. Ezra 10:6
Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While he was there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.
Ezra’s fasting was an expression of deep sorrow and mourning for the unfaithfulness of the people, demonstrating the profound connection between fasting and repentance.
24. Daniel 10:3
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.
Daniel’s fasting was a deliberate act of self-denial, showing his commitment to seeking God’s revelation and guidance during a critical time.
25. 2 Chronicles 20:3
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
King Jehoshaphat called for a fast in response to a looming threat, showing that fasting can be a communal act of seeking God’s intervention in times of crisis.
26. Isaiah 58:8
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.
This verse promises the blessings of healing, righteousness, and God’s protection for those who fast and live righteously.
27. Luke 5:33-35
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 friends 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.”
Jesus explains that while His disciples did not need to fast while He was with them, there would be a time when fasting would become an important practice for them.
28. Judges 20:26
Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord.
The Israelites combined fasting with prayer, weeping, and offerings, showing a holistic approach to seeking God’s favor and guidance.
29. Exodus 34:28
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.
Moses’ 40-day fast on Mount Sinai underscores the deep spiritual significance of fasting in preparation for receiving God’s commandments.
30. 1 Samuel 7:6
When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah.
The Israelites’ act of fasting and confession at Mizpah, led by Samuel, demonstrates the role of fasting in seeking God’s forgiveness and renewing their covenant with Him.
FAQ on Fasting and Bible Verses
1. What is the purpose of fasting in Christianity?
The primary purpose of fasting in Christianity is to seek a closer relationship with God. It is an act of humility and self-denial that helps believers focus on spiritual matters, seek God’s guidance, and express repentance. Fasting is often combined with prayer and reading of the Bible to deepen one’s faith and spiritual awareness.
2. How long should a Christian fast?
The duration of a fast can vary greatly depending on individual convictions and circumstances. Common fasting periods include a single meal, 24 hours, three days, or even up to 40 days, as exemplified by Jesus’ fast in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). It’s important to listen to your body and seek guidance from God when deciding on the length of a fast.
3. Can I drink water while fasting?
Yes, drinking water while fasting is generally allowed and recommended to stay hydrated. Some fasts may include abstaining from all food and drink (known as an absolute fast), but this is not common and should be done with caution and proper guidance.
4. What should I pray for during a fast?
During a fast, you can pray for various things, such as personal spiritual growth, guidance in decision-making, repentance and forgiveness, strength to overcome temptations, and intercession for others. Seeking God’s will and aligning your heart with His purposes are central themes of prayer during fasting.
5. Are there specific Bible verses that should be read when fasting?
Yes, there are many Bible verses that can provide encouragement, guidance, and strength during a fast. Some key verses include Isaiah 58:6-9, Matthew 6:16-18, Joel 2:12, and Ezra 8:23. These verses emphasize the importance of humility, repentance, seeking justice, and relying on God’s word for spiritual sustenance.
Conclusion
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God and aligns our hearts with His will. By reading and meditating on these 30 powerful Bible verses to read when fasting, we can find strength, encouragement, and guidance in our spiritual journey. Remember, fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but about seeking God with all our hearts, humbling ourselves, and living out His commands in our daily lives. May these scriptures inspire and sustain you during your fast, leading to a deeper and more profound relationship with the Lord.
