What does the Bible say about how to fast?

TL;DR:

Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline meant to draw us closer to God by abstaining from food, drink, or certain behaviors. The purpose of fasting is not to manipulate God but to align our hearts with His will and grow in dependence on Him.

what does the bible say?

The Bible presents several reasons for fasting and the different types of fasts. Some fast to increase their focus on God. Other times fasting is intended as a physical demonstration of seeking God’s blessing, deliverance, or guidance. Still other times people fast as an expression of mourning. In the book of Esther, before Esther approached the king, she, her maidens, and the Jews fasted in hopes that the Lord would grant her favor with the king (Esther 4:16). Daniel fasted multiple times: abstaining from certain foods for holiness (Daniel 1:8, 17–20), fasting more completely in seeking God for mercy (Daniel 9), and also to mourn (Daniel 10:2–3). Early church believers fasted when committing new church elders to the Lord (Acts 14:23). The New Testament doesn’t explicitly command fasting, but presents it as a beneficial spiritual discipline. Our motives for fasting matter; Jesus taught that believers should never fast for the praise or admiration of others (Matthew 6:16–18; Mark 2:18–20). Scripture also shows different forms of fasting, such as abstaining from food (Luke 4:2), food and drink (Acts 9:9), just certain foods (Daniel 1:8–14), or from certain behaviors for a time (Exodus 19:15; 1 Corinthians 7:5). Ultimately, fasting should be about aligning our will with God’s.

from the old testament

God commanded the Israelites to abstain from sex for a few days in preparation for His presence on Mt. Sinai, near where they were camped (Exodus 19:15).
While fasting is often about abstaining from all food, this isn’t always the case. abstaining from certain foods as Daniel and his friends did while in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court is a form of fasting (Daniel 1:8–14).
Esther, her maidens, and the Jews fasted in hopes that the Lord would bless her interactions with the king (Esther 4:16).
When we feel distant from God, fasting can bring us back to Him: "'Yet even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning'" (Joel 2:12).

from the new testament

Jesus advised believers not to fast to appear holy to others (Matthew 6:16–18).
The Bible shows that believers fasted when seeking God’s blessing on an undertaking, such as Barnabas and Paul’s missionary journey in Acts 13:3.
After being stoned, appointing elders, and warning believers about persecution, Barnabas and Paul fasted, likely as a means of focusing on the Lord to gain spiritual strength during their journey (Acts 14:19–23).
Fasting may involve pausing certain behaviors, such as a married couple deciding to abstain from sex for a set period of time (1 Corinthians 7:5).

implications for today

“Going without” isn’t what most people strive for. In fact, we usually try to avoid it. But for believers, sometimes going without through fasting benefits our spiritual life. The Bible shows that fasting was a regular spiritual practice among believers—and with good reason: It can take our focus off food, drink, or even behaviors and re-center it on God. It can deepen our relationship with God by helping us strip away distractions and focus our hearts fully on Him. This act of surrender sharpens our spiritual awareness, reminding us that our true sustenance comes from God alone. Far from being about impressing others or manipulating outcomes, fasting reorients our desires and strengthens our connection to the Lord.

As with any spiritual practice, our motives should be right. Physical fasts intended for health or a medical procedure are distinct from spiritual fasts. If you are doing a fast intended for spiritual reasons but feel compelled to tell everyone in your social circle that you’re fasting, how hard it is, and how hungry you are, you need to examine your heart and the true intent and benefit of the fast. If you’re seeking a scripturally questionable outcome to a circumstance and think fasting will be the key to somehow manipulating God into doing what you want, you have blinders on. God reads our hearts. He knows our motives. He knows whether you’re seeking Him in your fast or whether you’re seeking some selfish end or are attempting to manipulate Him. Fasting is not about changing God; it is about seeking Him and seeking His work in your heart and life.

understand

Fasting is a spiritual discipline meant to draw us closer to God.
Biblical fasting includes various forms—abstaining from food, drink, or certain behaviors.
Fasting should be done with sincere motives, not for show or personal gain, but to align our will with God’s.

reflect

When was the last time you fasted, and how did it impact your relationship with God?
What distractions in your life might God be calling you to fast from so you can hear His voice more clearly?
How do you determine if your motives for fasting are honoring to God?

engage

How can we as believers encourage one another to fast with the right heart and purpose, not just out of obligation or tradition?
What different types of fasting have you seen practiced among believers, and how have they impacted spiritual growth?
How can fasting help believers re-center our lives on the Lord?