Most Christians are aware of the power of prayer, but many don’t fully understand what fasting is and why it can have such a profound effect on our relationship with God. When done properly, fasting can be an effective way to draw nearer to Him and receive peace in all areas of your life, from personal spiritual growth to health benefits. In this blog post we will explore bible verses about fasting so that you can gain a clearer understanding of this Christian practice.
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Fasting in the Bible
Fasting is a spiritual practice that span across many religions, including being referenced in the Bible. Fasting typically entails reducing or abstaining from food and drink for a period of time in an effort to draw closer to God. Fasting as taught throughout the Bible often involved going without food for a certain number of days as an act of repentance or humility before God.
Many key figures in the Bible utilized fasting as part of their spiritual life– such as Moses, King David, and Esther – finding it strengthened their faith and imparted wisdom. Fasting according to the Bible could be done privately or publicly; with some also incorporating wearing sackcloth and ashes as signs of humility and repentance. Fasting remains an important part of many religious communities today and serves to provide believers with deeper insight into their relationship with God.
Bible Verses About Fasting
Bible verses about fasting can be found throughout the Bible, with each emphasizing the importance of this disciplined practice. In the Bible, Jesus even encourages his followers to fast in His name while also promising blessing and favor to those who do so. Several Bible verses instruct us to fast when we are in sorrow or lack understanding or direction in life.
Fasting helps focus our attention on God and quieten down our physical needs in order to refocus our mind set onto prayer and meditating on Him instead. Bible verses that speak about fasting offer beautiful insight for gaining understanding about this powerful spiritual practice, making it an invaluable tool for growing closer to God.
These Bible verses about fasting have all been taken from the New King James Version. Consider using a website like Bible Gateway to look up these fasting and prayer scriptures in different translations.
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:16-18 NKJV
Joel 2:12
““Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Joel 2:12
Isaiah 58:3-7
“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. 4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. 5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? 6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?” Isaiah 58:3-7 NKJV
Daniel 10:3
“ I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:3 NKJV
Psalm 69:10
“When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach. Psalm 69:10 NKJV
Acts 14:23
“So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.: Acts 14:23 NKJV
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” 1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV
Acts 13:2
“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 NKJV
Nehemiah 1:4
“So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 NKJV
Esther 4:16
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in a]Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” Esther 4: 16 NKJV
Luke 4:2
“being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” Luke 4:2 NKJV
Acts 13:3
“Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:3 NKJV
Exodus 34:28
“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 NKJV
Psalm 35:13
“But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own heart.” Psalm 35:13 NKJV
Matthew 4:4
“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”” Matthew 4:4 NKJV
Bible Verses For Fasting
Throughout the Bible, there are frequent mentions of fasting and its spiritual benefits. Bible verses for fasting provide guidance on how to properly fast, why it is important and how to use it to your advantage. Examples include Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6:16-18 to “not look somber” when fasting, and Isaiah 58:6-7 which says that when you fast, seek justice for those who are oppressed.
Bible verses for fasting serve as inspiration and hope during a time of physical deprivation. In essence, these verses recognize that fasting can be healthy both spiritually and physically as long as done within moderation. A Bible study conducted regularly while following biblical principles on fasting can lead to proper guidance and realization of the real purpose behind fasting itself – deepening our faith and relationship with God.
Bible Verses on Fasting
Bible verses on fasting can be a great source of inspiration and inner strength. Fasting is often an act of humility, sacrifice, self-denial to seek God’s will in our lives. Bible verses about fasting, remind us that giving up something we enjoy and bringing our attention to God can bring a spiritual blessing as we let go of the material world and strive for divine connection.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that, when done correctly, can help you to draw closer to God and receive His peace in all areas of your life. By studying these bible verses about fasting, you can gain a clearer understanding of how this practice can benefit you both spiritually and physically. So consider incorporating fasting into your daily routine and see how it improves your relationship with God as well as your overall health.
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