Fasting
Learn what the Bible teaches about the practice of fasting, and why you should embrace this spiritual discipline.
ISAIAH 58:6
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.”
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The biblical practice of fasting has been discussed, debated, and often misunderstood throughout Church history. Questions surrounding how, why, and with what motives we fast can make the practice feel confusing or inaccessible. This resource is designed to help clarify fasting as it is presented in Scripture, offering guidance for a thoughtful, Christ-centered approach to the practice.
What Fasting is Not
Before defining fasting, it is important to remove common misconceptions.
Fasting is not:
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A way to earn God’s favor
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A means of forcing God’s hand
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A spiritual virtue badge
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A requirement to be legislated
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Reserved for “super-spiritual” people
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A way to improve our standing before God
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Fasting is never transactional. It does not secure salvation, preserve God’s gifts, or manipulate divine outcomes. When fasting is reduced to technique or performance, its purpose is lost. Its power rests not in human effort, but in God’s sovereign grace.
What Fasting is
At its most basic level, fasting involves abstaining from food—and often other activities—for the purpose of seeking God.
Biblical Fasting Defined
The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines fasting as the restriction or abstinence from food, often accompanied by setting aside other activities, and replacing them with prayer and spiritual focus. Fasting must always be paired with seeking God in prayer. Fasting without prayer is just starvation.
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Three primary forms are recognized:
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Normal fast: No food, liquids permitted. Most fasts seem to fall under this category because water (or wine) were pointed out if those were abstained from as noted in the following examples.
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Partial fast: Limited diet (e.g. Daniel 10:3)
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Absolute fast: No food or liquids (e.g. Deuteronomy 9:9)
Throughout Scripture, fasting consistently appears during moments of seeking God, repentance, mourning, intercession, and dependence.
Voices from Church History
Together, these voices affirm the Biblical teaching of fasting as a means of reordering desire, not merely punishing the body.
FROM SERMONS ON FASTING + DISCIPLINE
“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity.”
Augustine of Hippo, 4th century bishop, theologian and philosopher
Fasting in Scripture
Scripture presents fasting across a wide range of contexts. The following is a comprehensive list of Scriptural references to fasting, categorized by context. Included are texts that relate only indirectly to fasting, such as those referring to a hunger or thirst for God. Thoughtfully and prayerfully review these passages.
The Bible also warns against certain kinds of fasting:
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Hypocrisy and self-righteous fasting (Luke 18:9-14)
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Asceticism disconnected from love and obedience (Colossians 2:23)
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Legalistic or compulsory fasting (Luke 18:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-5)
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Notably, Scripture affirms Christian liberty while also presenting fasting as a meaningful spiritual response, not a command (1 Cor. 10:31).
Old Testament vs New Testament Emphases
We must always allow Scripture must interpret Scripture, considering the whole counsel of God's word. Just as we ought to distinguish Law and Gospel, so we ought to distinguish the God's will within the Old and New Testaments (or Covenants). Here, we’ll take a short look at how fasting, shaped by God’s will, carries forward from the Old Testament into the New.
Key Takeaway
The whole of Scripture presents fasting not as a law to obey or compulsive act to earn favor or prevent wrath from God, but as a response of longing that emerges when God becomes more compelling than food, comfort, or control. It's about God transforming us to become the people He desires us to be, not us attempting to manipulate God for the results we desire to see.
Fasting Today
Applying the Biblical principles of fasting we can, as missionary and author Paul Washer wrote:
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FROM UNDERSTANDING THE DISCIPLINE OF FASTING
“…[abstain] from any activity, event, or temporal pleasure for the sake of
drawing near to God—abstaining from companionship to spend time alone with God; abstaining from sleep to pass the night in prayer; or abstaining from
a certain labor, hobby, or pastime to dedicate time to God.”
In other words, fasting goes beyond food and can include abstaining from:
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Companionship (to seek solitude with God)
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Sleep (to extend prayer time)
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Any temporal pleasure that competes for attention and affection (e.g. hobbies, entertainment, sex; see 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5, etc.)
The aim is not deprivation for its own sake, but reorientation—redirecting trust, dependence, and delight toward God.
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Prayer connects us to God. Fasting disconnects us from the noise of the world.
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Biblical fasting is shaped by hope. We fast not because the Kingdom has not come, but because it has, and we long for its fullness.
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Practical Examples of Fasting
The following are real life examples of how we can integrate the practice of fasting into our lives today.
Start where you are, not where you want to be or where you think you should be. Maybe it starts with a single meal, or only eating fruits and vegetables for a day. This is about growth, formation by gazing upon Christ. The key is to start with the right motive: to seek the face of God.
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PAUL WASHER
"Are we so satisfied with this world and its temporal pleasures
that we never long for God or ache for a greater measure of His presence?
Are we so satisfied with our spiritual status quo that we have no zeal for
greater conformity to the will of God and the image of Christ?
Are we so apathetic to the needs and sufferings of others that we
are never driven to passionate intercession for them?
…are we not in danger when our passion for God's glory,
our desire for greater sanctification, and our concern for the needs of others
rarely overpower our desires for food and temporal entertainments?"
Resources
The following resources are recommended to you. We pray you are encouraged to continue to learn about the practice of fasting in Scripture, and practice this discipline that you will bear its fruit in your life. May your fasting bring you closer to Christ as other desires lose their power to draw you away.
Understanding the Discipline of Fasting
PAUL WASHER
The Fasting Practice
PRACTICING THE WAY
The Purpose of Fasting
BIBLE PROJECT
Note: While we do not affirm all of the teachings of the authors of these resources, we do recognize and recommend their work on the topic of fasting.