Have you ever read your Bible and wondered what it is to fast and pray? When I first heard about fasting in church, I didn't know anyone who fasted regularly. Although fasting is also popular for health and weight loss reasons, spiritual fasting has been practiced for thousands of years and is about more than your body - it also touches soul and spirit!

Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible, incorporates prayer, and involves a powerful, focused time of seeking the Lord.

Many Christians fast because Jesus did it, it's part of Christian tradition, or because they want to grow closer to God. Fasting is often misunderstood and can be difficult, but it is a great discipline for women and men who long to grow closer to God.

Plus, you'll find inherent holistic health benefits in fasting. Fasting will help to clear your mind, cleanse your body, and refresh your spirit. Let's dive in for more details!

What is to fast

Biblical Fasting - An Ancient Practice for a Modern World

How does your weekly menu compare to that of someone who lived 2,000 years ago? With giant supermarkets, gas stations on every corner, and fast food restaurants galore, we can hardly draw comparisons between our modern diet and ancient eating habits.

But fasting is about more than just food...in a technology-controlled world filled with distractions, it's easy for our spiritual lives to take a backseat. Our hectic schedules leave little room for quiet reflection and uninterrupted times of seeking God. However, there is profound power in turning away from worldly input and constant feasting to fast and seek the Lord.

Fasting is a spiritual practice that involves voluntarily abstaining from food for a designated period. With fasting, we deny physical cravings and fleshly impulses while at the same time satisfying our deep spiritual cravings. These include our hearts' desires for wisdom, revelation, and connection with God.

Fasting is not simply an empty ritual, a diet, or a means to achieve personal goals; it is a spiritual discipline that opens the door to transformation and draws us closer to God. By the end of this post, you will gain insight into the power of fasting and be inspired to embark on this transformative journey yourself.

What is to Fast for Christians?

Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible – over 70 times (you can read 52+ of these fasting scriptures here).

Bible passages on fasting showcase varying examples. People were compelled to fast for different reasons and fasted for different lengths of time. However, a common definition for biblical fasting is this:

fasting in the Bible means going without food for a period of a time for the purpose of seeking the Lord.

Fasting involves your food intake.

Although "fasting social media" or taking a break from electronics and other hobbies is a great idea and can yield tremendous health benefits, it's obviously not something we're commanded to do in the Bible.

When you read about a person fasting in the Bible, it means they are not eating. Christians today usually follow one of the following forms of fasting:

  • A complete fast, drinking only water

  • A liquid fast, consuming broths, smoothies or juices and soups but no solid food

  • A partial fast, which can mean abstaining from certain types of food or limiting the times you eat

Some refer to a complete fast or total fast as one that avoids all food and drink. In almost all cases, drinking water is a must for fasting. You should consult your doctor no matter what, especially if brand new to fasting or you have health conditions or take regular medication.

Read more about common types of Christian fasts in the Bible.

The Daniel Fast, which involves eating only whole fruits, vegetables, and plant-based unprocessed foods, is a common partial fast. Other partial fasts may be time-restricted for example, eating only one meal a day or abstaining from food from sun up to sun down.

What about social media fasting?

Social media and other forms of digital entertainment are everywhere, and they are time-consuming and distracting to our spiritual growth.

A social media fast is a great way to take a break from the continual chatter of other peoples' opinions and cultivate the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude.

It can also help you develop a healthier balance with digital media, such as limiting your daily consumption or deleting apps completely.

What we consume through our eyes and ears via screens, social media feeds and TV programs influences our body, mind, and spirit. Unfortunately, much of this media input "feeds the flesh" to our detriment.

One purpose of fasting is to break out of fleshly bonds and refocus our eyes, heart, and mind on the Lord, strengthening our spiritual well-being. So, although biblical fasting means giving up food, consider taking a break from other media while you fast if possible.

For a period of time.

Christian fasting is not a general healthy lifestyle or weight loss diet plan. In fact, it's not primarily about eating and health but about surrender and worship. Differing from spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible reading, fasting is meant to be practiced for a specific period of time.

Although you'll experience physical benefits through fasting, which may motivate you to make healthy changes to your diet, fasting isn't meant to last indefinitely.

You should ask the Lord how long to fast and when to start and end your fast period. You'll find biblical fasts of 1, 3, 10, and 21 days, but these aren't mandatory timeframes. Christians sometimes choose to fast for seven days or another length of time.

To seek the Lord.

Fasting is not about deprivation, punishment, or making a stand to get your prayers answered. Nor is it an exercise in willpower that makes you more righteous and worthy...

Biblical fasting doesn't change God's nature or the fact that He ALWAYS hears our prayers; it changes us, making us more sensitive to His voice.

Fasting is not a way to gain favor with God; it has always been about knowing Him more and intimately and experiencing His presence more deeply.

You may have specific prayer requests and intentions for your fast, and that's ok. Just be open to letting the Lord lead your plans and guide you to new understanding, revelation, and direction. Surrender your fast and the outcome to the Lord, knowing His thoughts and ways are higher than ours!

spiritual fasting

Why Should Christians Fast?

Fasting is a powerful spiritual tool to draw nearer to God and understand His grace. Although we may feel resistance from our flesh when it comes time to fast, it can be one of our most rewarding spiritual disciplines.

Some differences you may notice as you study scriptures on fasting:

  • Fasts are different lengths of time

  • Fasts are done by individuals and groups

  • Fasts are started for different reasons

  • Fasts have different outcomes

Spiritual fasting existed before the New Testament...and after. Throughout church history, we have countless Bible fasting examples of great men and women of the faith engaging in fasting to draw nearer to the Lord. King David, Esther, and Nehemiah are just a few biblical examples.

Two main themes for fasting in prayer echoed throughout the Bible are

  1. Repentance

  2. Seeking the Lord for guidance and direction

Fasting is often used when an individual or community desperately needs guidance, healing, deliverance, or protection from either physical or spiritual needs.

One of the primary reasons Christians fast is because the Bible talks about it clearly. Jesus fasted, the early church fasted, and we have multiple examples in the Old Testament. Let's see what Jesus said.

Jesus on Fasting - When You Fast

Jesus fasted and gave us instruction that doesn't say "if" you fast but "when" you fast.

Matthew and Luke detail how Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness and was tempted by the enemy. After His fast and withstanding these temptations, He entered public ministry.

Jesus' fasting and time alone with God were spiritual preparation for what lay ahead.

Three of the gospels also record Jesus' response when the Pharisees asked why His disciples weren't fasting according to custom.

Referring to Himself as the bridegroom, "Jesus said to them, 'The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." (Matthew 9:15)

Furthermore, in Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus Christ tells His disciples, “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 doesn't lay out a prescription for exactly when, what, how long, and how frequently to fast but He instructs his followers about true fasting. Like His teachings on prayer and giving, Jesus emphasizes the spirit and attitude in which we approach these disciplines: our focus is on God first, not self!

praying and fasting

Reasons Why Christians Fast

Fasting serves profound spiritual purposes that go beyond physical abstinence. It is a means to seek God, deepen our relationship with Him, express repentance, and strengthen our spiritual disciplines. Let's explore each of these purposes in detail.

1. Seek God's guidance and direction

When we fast, we intentionally set aside temporary earthly comforts to draw closer to God and seek His guidance and direction. Fasting accompanies fervent prayer as we seek God's will.

In the quietness of fasting, we tune our hearts to listen attentively to His voice. As we consecrate ourselves through fasting, we position ourselves to discern God's guidance and direction for our lives. With self-denial, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and create space for His voice to be heard more clearly.

2. Focus our priorities and sharpen spiritual hunger

By denying ourselves the physical pleasure and dependence on food, we open ourselves to a deeper and more significant hunger. Our focus shifts from bodily needs to spiritual hunger for God's presence. When tempted after fasting, Jesus rebuked Satan by quoting God's Word, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

As we disrupt our normal routines and "business as usual" we recognize that we are in the world but not of the world. We are spiritual beings with a high heavenly calling and can ask how this heavenly reality affects

  • our priorities

  • how we spend our time

  • our mental and emotional health

  • our physical choices

  • how we steward our bodies

Fasting for spiritual food

3. Deepen our relationship with God

Fasting provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the intimacy of our relationship with God.

We recognize our limitations through fasting and acknowledge our complete reliance on God. It humbles us before Him, reminding us that we are not self-sufficient but in constant need of His grace and provision.

Fasting heightens our spiritual senses and sensitizes us to the movements of the Holy Spirit. As we detach from food and worldly distractions, our spiritual awareness increases, enabling us to perceive God's presence, hear His voice, and discern His work in our lives.

4. Express repentance and seek forgiveness

Fasting can be an act of repentance, a means to express sincere remorse for personal and corporate sins. It serves as a catalyst for seeking God's forgiveness and reconciliation.

In the Old Testament, repentance for sins is a common reason for fasting. For example, here's what happens when Jonah preaches to the lost city of Ninevah and encourages them to turn from their wicked ways to serve God.

"He [the king] issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands." Jonah 3:7-8

Fasting encourages introspection and self-reflection, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas for repentance, which goes beyond remorse for wrongs. Repentance means to turn or change direction. We acknowledge personal and corporate sins of our communities, nations, etc. in seeking God's forgiveness and turning away from destructive behaviors.

5. Strengthen spiritual disciplines

Fasting develops self-control, discipline, and increased focus in our spiritual practices. Obviously, you must resist the physical urge to eat (not an easy task). But in the process, we learn to rely on God's power over our personal willpower. It's the Holy Spirit who empowers us to be disciplined.

As we exercise self-control in fasting, this fruit of the Spirit grows in other areas of our lives, equipping us to be led by the Spirit and not tossed around by emotions and influences that don't serve us.

Fasting is about more than food. Other spiritual disciplines to include in a time of fasting can be:

6. Deliverance and breakthrough

Fasting enables you to break out of deep ruts and strongholds. A stronghold is a persistent negative pattern or spirit that influences thoughts, behaviors, and well-being. 2 Corinthians 10:4, says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." Praying and fasting with faith leads to freedom.

Strongholds might include addictions, fear and anxiety, bitterness and unforgiveness, distorted self-image, false beliefs, and more. As we surrender to God completely while fasting, He can break through to reveal truth, expose lies, illuminate dark places, and provide healing.

You can read the story of the boy who was delivered in Matthew 17 and Mark 9 and see the line in the King James Version and New King James Version, "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:29)

7. Increase focus and revelation in prayer and study

When we fast, we create intentional time and space for prayer and studying God's Word. The heightened focus and devotion that fasting cultivates allow us to engage more deeply with God's presence, His Word, and His work in our lives.

Ultimately, God's revelation and His presence are more powerful and long-lasting than a temporary answer to prayer. What we gain from a fast can be carried forward to bear eternal fruit.

How to Avoid Christian Fasting Pitfalls

Fasting is not easy, and there are many misconceptions about why Christians fast. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

  • Weight loss - Intermittent fasting is usually about health and weight loss, but Christian fasting is about spiritual growth. Fasting can serve as a tool for improving our relationship with food and highlighting eating habits tied to boredom or coping with emotional distress. This will make you healthier in the long run, but it isn't the primary purpose of Christian fasting.

  • Intimidation - Others believe that fasting is only for “super Christians” or is impossibly difficult. However, fasting is for all believers and isn't a one-size-fits-all practice. You don't have to follow a 40-day water-only protocol in order to "count". Try fasting for a few days and consider a partial fast to start and gain confidence.

  • Legalism - Some people can become legalistic about fasting and view it as a rote checklist item. This creates a dry and hollow practice devoid of meaning. (see Luke 18:12-13)

  • Timidity - The other side I've seen is that people are so averse to becoming legalistic that they talk themselves out of fasting. An intentional schedule for regular fasting is not legalistic when done with the right heart.

  • Feelings - Most people don't feel excited about fasting. It's almost never convenient, and nobody looks forward to hunger and giving up both food and drink we love. You may be called to fast when it doesn't feel fun and easy - but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it!

  • Pride - Another pitfall, often tied to legalism, is becoming prideful about fasting. This includes being judgmental and critical about how others fast. Remember Matthew 6:16-18 and the story of the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14. Your fasting should be done in secret before the Lord and not in comparison to others.

  • Manipulation (aka Hunger strike) - Sometimes fasting is used as a last resort to get a prayer answered. This is a pressured response as in, "If I fast, it will compel God to answer my prayer the way I want!" Remember God's love, character, and sovereignty. He already LOVES you and He HEARS your prayers.

In Summary

Biblical fasting is a powerful discipline that can help women grow closer to God. Fasting in the Bible is clearly laid out for us - it's a spiritual discipline for now!

Remember that you can practice different forms of fasting over time. You may choose a normal fast, a vegetable and fruit juice fast, fasting a particular type of food, fasting one meal a day, or another way the Lord leads you. You can fast on a holy day, or as part of your regular spiritual rhythm.

We see many examples in the Bible fasting to grow closer to God and seek Him with prayer and worship. The scripture passage below is a powerful reminder for why we fast!

Isaiah 58:3-9 (New King James Version)

'‘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. 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. 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 ? “ 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? 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? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,'

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