10+ Fasting Scriptures To Deepen Your Faith

Fasting, a practice deeply rooted in spiritual traditions, is a powerful tool for seekers of faith, wisdom, and a closer connection with the divine. Across various religious texts, fasting is highlighted not just as a means of spiritual purification, but as a method to deepen one’s faith and understanding of the self and the universe. For Christians, the Bible offers numerous insights and scriptures that guide believers in their fasting journeys, providing a spiritual map to navigate the challenges and blessings of this practice.

The act of fasting, whether from food, negative thoughts, or worldly distractions, is essentially about creating space—a space that can be filled with prayer, reflection, and a deeper connection with God. The following scriptures offer a foundation for understanding the role of fasting in Christian life, illustrating its significance in spiritual growth, service to others, and the pursuit of a righteous life.

1. Matthew 4:4 - “But he answered, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” This verse, spoken by Jesus during his forty-day fast in the wilderness, underscores the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical needs. It reminds believers that their survival and strength come not from worldly provisions but from God’s word and will.

2. Isaiah 58:6-7 - “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?” These verses from Isaiah emphasize the true essence of fasting, which goes beyond mere abstinence from food to encompass acts of justice, kindness, and compassion towards those in need.

3. 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 here that fasting should be a private and sincere act between the believer and God, devoid of any intention to seek praise or recognition from others.

4. Ezra 8:21-23 - “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.” Ezra’s experience illustrates the role of fasting in seeking God’s protection and guidance, showing how this practice can be a means of expressing dependence on Him.

5. 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.” This passage from Acts demonstrates how fasting can be a catalyst for discerning and fulfilling God’s will. Through fasting and prayer, the early church was able to recognize and affirm the calling of Barnabas and Saul for their missionary work.

6. Joel 2:12-13 - “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.” Joel’s call to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and a willingness to turn away from sin, highlighting God’s readiness to forgive and show mercy.

7. Luke 4:1-2 - “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.” Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, which followed a forty-day fast, sets a powerful example of resistance to temptation and the pursuit of God’s will, even in the face of adversity and physical challenge.

8. 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.’” Esther’s decision to fast before approaching the king to save the Jewish people shows how fasting can be a bold act of faith and trust in God’s intervention, even in the most desperate situations.

9. 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 practice of fasting, accompanied by prayer and the wearing of sackcloth and ashes, symbolizes humility and deep repentance, demonstrating a fervent desire to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.

10. 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.” While this verse primarily addresses marital relationships, it indirectly touches on the practice of fasting by suggesting that periods of abstinence can be used for devoted prayer, emphasizing the spiritual benefits of self-control and mutual agreement in such practices.

11. Psalm 35:13 - “Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed down on my bosom.” This psalm illustrates how fasting and prayer can be integral to interceding for others, showing a willingness to empathize and sacrifice for the well-being of those in need.

In conclusion, these scriptures and others like them underscore the multifaceted nature of fasting in the Christian life. Fasting is not merely an act of deprivation but a profound act of faith, submission, and desire for a deeper connection with God. It is through fasting, prayer, and sincere devotion that believers can hopes to deepen their faith, seek guidance, and walk in the will of God. As with any spiritual practice, the key to a meaningful fast is not the act itself, but the heart’s intention and willingness to submit to God’s leading and grace.

In reflecting on these scriptures and the practice of fasting, it becomes clear that this discipline is not just about abstaining from certain activities or foods, but about cultivating a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. By embracing fasting as a tool for spiritual growth, believers can find themselves drawn closer to the heart of God, equipped with the wisdom, strength, and faith needed to navigate life’s challenges and fulfill their purpose with grace and integrity.