137 Bible verses about Fasting

“And when you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.When you go without food, wash your face and comb your hair,so that others cannot know that you are fasting—only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.

“The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.

“But even now,” says the Lord, “repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning.Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough.” Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.

After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry.

And I prayed earnestly to the Lord God, pleading with him, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes.

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”All of this took about 450 years. “After this he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.And when they asked for a king, God gave them Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, to be their king for forty years.After removing him, God made David their king. This is what God said about him: ‘I have found that David son of Jesse is the kind of man I like, a man who will do all I want him to do.’It was Jesus, a descendant of David, whom God made the Savior of the people of Israel, as he had promised.Before Jesus began his work, John preached to all the people of Israel that they should turn from their sins and be baptized.And as John was about to finish his mission, he said to the people, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. But listen! He is coming after me, and I am not good enough to take his sandals off his feet.’ “My fellow Israelites, descendants of Abraham, and all Gentiles here who worship God: it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent!For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know that he is the Savior, nor did they understand the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Yet they made the prophets' words come true by condemning Jesus.And even though they could find no reason to pass the death sentence on him, they asked Pilate to have him put to death.And after they had done everything that the Scriptures say about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb.They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.

There by the Ahava Canal I gave orders for us all to fast and humble ourselves before our God and to ask him to lead us on our journey and protect us and our children and all our possessions.I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for a troop of cavalry to guard us from any enemies during our journey, because I had told him that our God blesses everyone who trusts him, but that he is displeased with and punishes anyone who turns away from him.So we fasted and prayed for God to protect us, and he answered our prayers.

Jehoshaphat was frightened and prayed to the Lord for guidance. Then he gave orders for a fast to be observed throughout the country.so Jehoshaphat ruled in peace, and God gave him security on every side.Jehoshaphat had become king of Judah at the age of thirty-five and had ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord;but the pagan places of worship were not destroyed. The people still did not turn wholeheartedly to the worship of the God of their ancestors.Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, from the beginning of his reign to its end, is recorded in The History of Jehu Son of Hanani which is a part of The History of the Kings of Israel.At one time King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who did many wicked things.At the port of Eziongeber they built ocean-going ships.But Eliezer son of Dodavahu, from the town of Mareshah, warned Jehoshaphat, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have built.” And the ships were wrecked and never sailed.From every city of Judah people hurried to Jerusalem to ask the Lord for guidance,

When I heard all this, I sat down and wept. For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God,

Jesus returned from the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the desert,For the scripture says, ‘God will order his angels to take good care of you.’It also says, ‘They will hold you up with their hands so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’”But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left him for a while.Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him. The news about him spread throughout all that territory.He taught in the synagogues and was praised by everyone.Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scripturesand was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written,“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressedand announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.”where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. In all that time he ate nothing, so that he was hungry when it was over.

Moses stayed there with the Lord forty days and nights, eating and drinking nothing. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

In each church they appointed elders, and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

But when they were sick, I dressed in mourning; I deprived myself of food; I prayed with my head bowed low,as I would pray for a friend or a brother. I went around bent over in mourning, as one who mourns for his mother.

When Elijah finished speaking, Ahab tore his clothes, took them off, and put on sackcloth. He refused food, slept in the sackcloth, and went about gloomy and depressed.The Lord said to the prophet Elijah,“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has done this, I will not bring disaster on him during his lifetime; it will be during his son's lifetime that I will bring disaster on Ahab's family.”

Then the followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, asking, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast at all?”Jesus answered, “Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not! But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

At that time I was mourning for three weeks.He said, “Do you know why I came to you? It is to reveal to you what is written in the Book of Truth. Now I have to go back and fight the guardian angel of Persia. After that the guardian angel of Greece will appear. There is no one to help me except Michael, Israel's guardian angel.I did not eat any rich food or any meat, drink any wine, or comb my hair until the three weeks were past.

The people ask, “Why should we fast if the Lord never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention?” The Lord says to them, “The truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers.Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers?When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month the people of Israel gathered to fast in order to show sorrow for their sins. They had already separated themselves from all foreigners. They wore sackcloth and put dust on their heads as signs of grief. Then they stood and began to confess the sins that they and their ancestors had committed.You worked amazing miracles against the king, against his officials and the people of his land, because you knew how they oppressed your people. You won then the fame you still have today.Through the sea you made a path for your people and led them through on dry ground. Those who pursued them drowned in deep water, as a stone sinks in the raging sea.With a cloud you led them in daytime, and at night you lighted their way with fire.At Mount Sinai you came down from heaven; you spoke to your people and gave them good laws and sound teachings.You taught them to keep your Sabbaths holy, and through your servant Moses you gave them your laws.“When they were hungry, you gave them bread from heaven, and water from a rock when they were thirsty. You told them to take control of the land which you had promised to give them.But our ancestors grew proud and stubborn and refused to obey your commands.They refused to obey; they forgot all you did; they forgot the miracles you had performed. In their pride they chose a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them.They made an idol in the shape of a bull-calf and said it was the god who led them from Egypt! How much they insulted you, Lord!But you did not abandon them there in the desert, for your mercy is great. You did not take away the cloud or the fire that showed them the path by day and night.

He said, “Tell the people of the land and the priests that when they fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during these seventy years, it was not in honor of me.

So they all gathered at Mizpah. They drew some water and poured it out as an offering to the Lord and fasted that whole day. They said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” (It was at Mizpah where Samuel settled disputes among the Israelites.)

Do not deny yourselves to each other, unless you first agree to do so for a while in order to spend your time in prayer; but then resume normal marital relations. In this way you will be kept from giving in to Satan's temptation because of your lack of self-control.

I humble myself by fasting, and people insult me;

David prayed to God that the child would get well. He refused to eat anything, and every night he went into his room and spent the night lying on the floor.

“Go and get all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don't eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant women and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die.”

Give orders for a fast; call an assembly! Gather the leaders and all the people of Judah into the Temple of the Lord your God and cry out to him!

Then all the people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in the Lord's presence and did not eat until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole—all in the presence of the Lord.

My knees are weak from lack of food; I am nothing but skin and bones.

Elijah got up, ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to walk forty days to Sinai, the holy mountain.

Cornelius said, “It was about this time three days ago that I was praying in my house at three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly a man dressed in shining clothes stood in front of meand said: ‘Cornelius! God has heard your prayer and has taken notice of your works of charity.

Then the king returned to the palace and spent a sleepless night, without food or any form of entertainment.

The people of Nineveh believed God's message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented.

so that others cannot know that you are fasting—only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.

Even if they fast, I will not listen to their cry for help; and even if they offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not be pleased with them. Instead, I will kill them in war and by starvation and disease.”

“The fasts held in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become festivals of joy and gladness for the people of Judah. You must love truth and peace.”

But when they were sick, I dressed in mourning; I deprived myself of food; I prayed with my head bowed low,

Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly!Gather the people together; prepare them for a sacred meeting; bring the old people; gather the children and the babies too. Even newly married couples must leave their homes and come.

I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.

When I heard all this, I sat down and wept. For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God,“Lord God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command.Look at me, Lord, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess that we, the people of Israel, have sinned. My ancestors and I have sinned.

This went on year after year; whenever they went to the house of the Lord, Peninnah would upset Hannah so much that she would cry and refuse to eat anything.Her husband Elkanah would ask her, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why are you always so sad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?”

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”

So we fasted and prayed for God to protect us, and he answered our prayers.

The letters said: “Proclaim a day of fasting, call the people together, and give Naboth the place of honor.

I went on praying, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel and pleading with the Lord my God to restore his holy Temple.While I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came flying down to where I was. It was the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered.He explained, “Daniel, I have come here to help you understand the prophecy.When you began to plead with God, he answered you. He loves you, and so I have come to tell you the answer. Now pay attention while I explain the vision.

They grieved and mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan and for Israel, the people of the Lord, because so many had been killed in battle.

Then all the people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in the Lord's presence and did not eat until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole—all in the presence of the Lord.God's Covenant Box was there at Bethel in those days, and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, was in charge of it. The people asked the Lord, “Should we go out to fight our brothers the Benjaminites again, or should we give up?” The Lord answered, “Fight. Tomorrow I will give you victory over them.”

Give orders for a fast; call an assembly! Gather the leaders and all the people of Judah into the Temple of the Lord your God and cry out to him!The day of the Lord is near, the day when the Almighty brings destruction. What terror that day will bring!

But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

and directed them and their descendants to observe the days of Purim at the proper time, just as they had adopted rules for the observance of fasts and times of mourning. This was commanded by both Mordecai and Queen Esther.

The Lord says, “Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins!if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry.Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses.”The Lord says, “If you treat the Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own interests on that day; if you value my holy day and honor it by not traveling, working, or talking idly on that day,then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. I will make you honored all over the world, and you will enjoy the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken.”They worship me every day, claiming that they are eager to know my ways and obey my laws. They say they want me to give them just laws and that they take pleasure in worshiping me.”The people ask, “Why should we fast if the Lord never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention?” The Lord says to them, “The truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers.Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers?When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?“The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. “Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side.When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond. “If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word;

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil.Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’” Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went away to Galilee.He did not stay in Nazareth, but went to live in Capernaum, a town by Lake Galilee, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.This was done to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said,“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, on the road to the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee, land of the Gentiles!The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine.”From that time Jesus began to preach his message: “Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!” As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers who were fishermen, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, catching fish in the lake with a net.Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.”After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry.At once they left their nets and went with him.He went on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them,and at once they left the boat and their father, and went with him.Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing people who had all kinds of disease and sickness.The news about him spread through the whole country of Syria, so that people brought to him all those who were sick, suffering from all kinds of diseases and disorders: people with demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people—and Jesus healed them all.Large crowds followed him from Galilee and the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, Judea, and the land on the other side of the Jordan.Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread.”But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’”

if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.

Just before dawn, Paul begged them all to eat some food: “You have been waiting for fourteen days now, and all this time you have not eaten a thing.I beg you, then, eat some food; you need it in order to survive. Not even a hair of your heads will be lost.”

Then the king returned to the palace and spent a sleepless night, without food or any form of entertainment.At dawn the king got up and hurried to the pit.In addition, he chose Daniel and two others to supervise the governors and to look after the king's interests.When he got there, he called out anxiously, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was the God you serve so loyally able to save you from the lions?”

Jesus answered, “Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not! But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

In the ninth month of the fifth year that Jehoiakim was king of Judah, the people fasted to gain the Lord's favor. The fast was kept by all who lived in Jerusalem and by all who came there from the towns of Judah.

Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly!

When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.He sent out a proclamation to the people of Nineveh: “This is an order from the king and his officials: No one is to eat anything; all persons, cattle, and sheep are forbidden to eat or drink.All persons and animals must wear sackcloth. Everyone must pray earnestly to God and must give up their wicked behavior and their evil actions.Perhaps God will change his mind; perhaps he will stop being angry, and we will not die!”

Then he went from in front of the Temple into the living quarters of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, and spent the night there grieving over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. He did not eat or drink anything.

Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in town, and fasted for seven days.

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month the people of Israel gathered to fast in order to show sorrow for their sins. They had already separated themselves from all foreigners. They wore sackcloth and put dust on their heads as signs of grief. Then they stood and began to confess the sins that they and their ancestors had committed.You worked amazing miracles against the king, against his officials and the people of his land, because you knew how they oppressed your people. You won then the fame you still have today.Through the sea you made a path for your people and led them through on dry ground. Those who pursued them drowned in deep water, as a stone sinks in the raging sea.With a cloud you led them in daytime, and at night you lighted their way with fire.At Mount Sinai you came down from heaven; you spoke to your people and gave them good laws and sound teachings.You taught them to keep your Sabbaths holy, and through your servant Moses you gave them your laws.“When they were hungry, you gave them bread from heaven, and water from a rock when they were thirsty. You told them to take control of the land which you had promised to give them.But our ancestors grew proud and stubborn and refused to obey your commands.They refused to obey; they forgot all you did; they forgot the miracles you had performed. In their pride they chose a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them.They made an idol in the shape of a bull-calf and said it was the god who led them from Egypt! How much they insulted you, Lord!But you did not abandon them there in the desert, for your mercy is great. You did not take away the cloud or the fire that showed them the path by day and night.In your goodness you told them what they should do; you fed them manna and gave them water to drink.Through forty years in the desert you provided all that they needed; their clothing never wore out, and their feet were not swollen with pain.“You let them conquer nations and kingdoms, lands that bordered their own. They conquered the land of Heshbon, where Sihon ruled, and the land of Bashan, where Og was king.You gave them as many children as there are stars in the sky, and let them conquer and live in the land that you had promised their ancestors to give them.They conquered the land of Canaan; you overcame the people living there. You gave your people the power to do as they pleased with the people and kings of Canaan.Your people captured fortified cities, fertile land, houses full of wealth, cisterns already dug, olive trees, fruit trees, and vineyards. They ate all they wanted and grew fat; they enjoyed all the good things you gave them.“But your people rebelled and disobeyed you; they turned their backs on your Law. They killed the prophets who warned them, who told them to turn back to you. They insulted you time after time,so you let their enemies conquer and rule them. In their trouble they called to you for help, and you answered them from heaven. In your great mercy you sent them leaders who rescued them from their foes.When peace returned, they sinned again, and again you let their enemies conquer them. Yet when they repented and asked you to save them, in heaven you heard, and time after time you rescued them in your great mercy.You warned them to obey your teachings, but in pride they rejected your laws, although keeping your Law is the way to life. Hard-headed and stubborn, they refused to obey.For about three hours the Law of the Lord their God was read to them, and for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.

There has been work and toil; often I have gone without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty; I have often been without enough food, shelter, or clothing.

For three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink anything.

I went up the mountain to receive the stone tablets on which was written the covenant that the Lord had made with you. I stayed there forty days and nights and did not eat or drink anything.

Then all the people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in the Lord's presence and did not eat until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole—all in the presence of the Lord.God's Covenant Box was there at Bethel in those days, and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, was in charge of it. The people asked the Lord, “Should we go out to fight our brothers the Benjaminites again, or should we give up?” The Lord answered, “Fight. Tomorrow I will give you victory over them.”

The Israelites were weak with hunger that day, because Saul, with a solemn oath, had given the order: “A curse be on anyone who eats any food today before I take revenge on my enemies.” So nobody had eaten anything all day.

“And when you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.

I fast two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all my income.’

I did not eat any rich food or any meat, drink any wine, or comb my hair until the three weeks were past.

But my Sovereign Lord, help me as you have promised, and rescue me because of the goodness of your love.I am poor and needy; I am hurt to the depths of my heart.Like an evening shadow I am about to vanish; I am blown away like an insect.My knees are weak from lack of food; I am nothing but skin and bones.

There by the Ahava Canal I gave orders for us all to fast and humble ourselves before our God and to ask him to lead us on our journey and protect us and our children and all our possessions.

All persons and animals must wear sackcloth. Everyone must pray earnestly to God and must give up their wicked behavior and their evil actions.

Moses went on up the mountain into the cloud. There he stayed for forty days and nights.

They proclaimed a day of fasting, called the people together, and gave Naboth the place of honor.

Then the followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, asking, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast at all?”Jesus answered, “Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not! But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.“No one patches up an old coat with a piece of new cloth, for the new patch will shrink and make an even bigger hole in the coat.Nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, for the skins will burst, the wine will pour out, and the skins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins, and both will keep in good condition.”

Throughout all the provinces, wherever the king's proclamation was made known, there was loud mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, wailed, and most of them put on sackcloth and lay in ashes.

Jehoshaphat was frightened and prayed to the Lord for guidance. Then he gave orders for a fast to be observed throughout the country.

“Test us for ten days,” he said. “Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

So they all gathered at Mizpah. They drew some water and poured it out as an offering to the Lord and fasted that whole day. They said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” (It was at Mizpah where Samuel settled disputes among the Israelites.)When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the five Philistine kings started out with their men to attack them. The Israelites heard about it and were afraid,and said to Samuel, “Keep praying to the Lord our God to save us from the Philistines.”

Then the Lord showed concern for his land; he had mercy on his people.

When the time came for the evening sacrifice, I got up from where I had been grieving, and still wearing my torn clothes, I knelt in prayer and stretched out my hands to the Lord my God.

Cornelius said, “It was about this time three days ago that I was praying in my house at three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly a man dressed in shining clothes stood in front of me

The prophet answered, “Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you.The Lord has commanded me not to eat or drink a thing, and not to return home the same way I came.”

Then he said, “Daniel, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in order to gain understanding. I have come in answer to your prayer.The angel prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me, because I had been left there alone in Persia.

As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.I am crushed by their insults, as they keep on asking me, “Where is your God?”Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.I thirst for you, the living God. When can I go and worship in your presence?

I assembled the entire group by the canal that runs to the town of Ahava, and we camped there three days. I found that there were priests in the group, but no Levites.I sent for nine of the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, and for two teachers, Joiarib and Elnathan.I sent them to Iddo, head of the community at Casiphia, to ask him and his associates, the Temple workers, to send us people to serve God in the Temple.Through God's grace they sent us Sherebiah, an able man, a Levite from the clan of Mahli; and eighteen of his sons and brothers came with him.They also sent Hashabiah and Jeshaiah of the clan of Merari, with twenty of their relatives.Gershom, of the clan of Phinehas Daniel, of the clan of Ithamar Hattush son of Shecaniah, of the clan of David Zechariah, of the clan of Parosh, with 150 men of his clan (there were records of their family lines) Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, of the clan of Pahath Moab, with 200 men Shecaniah son of Jahaziel, of the clan of Zattu, with 300 men Ebed son of Jonathan, of the clan of Adin, with 50 men Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, of the clan of Elam, with 70 men Zebadiah son of Michael, of the clan of Shephatiah, with 80 men Obadiah son of Jehiel, of the clan of Joab, with 218 men Shelomith son of Josiphiah, of the clan of Bani, with 160 men Zechariah son of Bebai, of the clan of Bebai, with 28 men Johanan son of Hakkatan, of the clan of Azgad, with 110 men Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, of the clan of Adonikam, with 60 men (they returned at a later date) Uthai and Zaccur, of the clan of Bigvai, with 70 menIn addition there were 220 Temple workers whose ancestors had been designated by King David and his officials to assist the Levites. They were all listed by name.There by the Ahava Canal I gave orders for us all to fast and humble ourselves before our God and to ask him to lead us on our journey and protect us and our children and all our possessions.I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for a troop of cavalry to guard us from any enemies during our journey, because I had told him that our God blesses everyone who trusts him, but that he is displeased with and punishes anyone who turns away from him.So we fasted and prayed for God to protect us, and he answered our prayers.

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil.Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’” Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.

Some people said to Jesus, “The disciples of John fast frequently and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but your disciples eat and drink.”Jesus answered, “Do you think you can make the guests at a wedding party go without food as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not!But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

God's Covenant Box was there at Bethel in those days, and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, was in charge of it. The people asked the Lord, “Should we go out to fight our brothers the Benjaminites again, or should we give up?” The Lord answered, “Fight. Tomorrow I will give you victory over them.”

Darius the Mede, who was the son of Xerxes, ruled over the kingdom of Babylonia.We did not listen to you, O Lord our God, when you told us to live according to the laws which you gave us through your servants the prophets.All Israel broke your laws and refused to listen to what you said. We sinned against you, and so you brought on us the curses that are written in the Law of Moses, your servant.You did what you said you would do to us and our rulers. You punished Jerusalem more severely than any other city on earth,giving us all the punishment described in the Law of Moses. But even now, O Lord our God, we have not tried to please you by turning from our sins or by following your truth.You, O Lord our God, were prepared to punish us, and you did, because you always do what is right, and we did not listen to you.“O Lord our God, you showed your power by bringing your people out of Egypt, and your power is still remembered. We have sinned; we have done wrong.You have defended us in the past, so do not be angry with Jerusalem any longer. It is your city, your sacred hill. All the people in the neighboring countries look down on Jerusalem and on your people because of our sins and the evil our ancestors did.O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God.Listen to us, O God; look at us and see the trouble we are in and the suffering of the city that bears your name. We are praying to you because you are merciful, not because we have done right.Lord, hear us. Lord, forgive us. Lord, listen to us, and act! In order that everyone will know that you are God, do not delay! This city and these people are yours.”In the first year of his reign I was studying the sacred books and thinking about the seventy years that Jerusalem would be in ruins, according to what the Lord had told the prophet Jeremiah.I went on praying, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel and pleading with the Lord my God to restore his holy Temple.While I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came flying down to where I was. It was the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered.He explained, “Daniel, I have come here to help you understand the prophecy.When you began to plead with God, he answered you. He loves you, and so I have come to tell you the answer. Now pay attention while I explain the vision.“Seven times seventy years is the length of time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil. Sin will be forgiven and eternal justice established, so that the vision and the prophecy will come true, and the holy Temple will be rededicated.Note this and understand it: From the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until God's chosen leader comes, seven times seven years will pass. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, and will stand for seven times sixty-two years, but this will be a time of troubles.And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will be killed unjustly. The city and the Temple will be destroyed by the invading army of a powerful ruler. The end will come like a flood, bringing the war and destruction which God has prepared.That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings. The Awful Horror will be placed on the highest point of the Temple and will remain there until the one who put it there meets the end which God has prepared for him.”And I prayed earnestly to the Lord God, pleading with him, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes.

Then Nathan went home. The Lord caused the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David to become very sick.David prayed to God that the child would get well. He refused to eat anything, and every night he went into his room and spent the night lying on the floor.His court officials went to him and tried to make him get up, but he refused and would not eat anything with them.A week later the child died, and David's officials were afraid to tell him the news. They said, “While the child was living, David wouldn't answer us when we spoke to him. How can we tell him that his child is dead? He might do himself some harm!”When David noticed them whispering to each other, he realized that the child had died. So he asked them, “Is the child dead?” “Yes, he is,” they answered.The rich man had many cattle and sheep,David got up from the floor, took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the house of the Lord. When he returned to the palace, he asked for food and ate it as soon as it was served.“We don't understand this,” his officials said to him. “While the child was alive, you wept for him and would not eat; but as soon as he died, you got up and ate!”“Yes,” David answered, “I did fast and weep while he was still alive. I thought that the Lord might be merciful to me and not let the child die.But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Could I bring the child back to life? I will some day go to where he is, but he can never come back to me.”

Put on sackcloth and weep, you priests who serve at the altar! Go into the Temple and mourn all night! There is no grain or wine to offer your God.Give orders for a fast; call an assembly! Gather the leaders and all the people of Judah into the Temple of the Lord your God and cry out to him!

I humble myself by fasting, and people insult me;I dress myself in clothes of mourning, and they laugh at me.

if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry.

But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.

I assembled the entire group by the canal that runs to the town of Ahava, and we camped there three days. I found that there were priests in the group, but no Levites.

David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod,” and Abiathar brought it to him.David asked the Lord, “Shall I go after those raiders? And will I catch them?” He answered, “Go after them; you will catch them and rescue the captives.”

O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.They will be killed in battle, and their bodies eaten by wolves.Because God gives him victory, the king will rejoice. Those who make promises in God's name will praise him, but the mouths of liars will be shut.Let me see you in the sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are.Your constant love is better than life itself, and so I will praise you.I will give you thanks as long as I live; I will raise my hands to you in prayer.My soul will feast and be satisfied, and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.

So he prayed, “Lord, didn't I say before I left home that this is just what you would do? That's why I did my best to run away to Spain! I knew that you are a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind, and always ready to change your mind and not punish.

How I want to be there! I long to be in the Lord's Temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God.

They must thank the Lord for his constant love, for the wonderful things he did for them.He satisfies those who are thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying.

Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.”

Then the Lord showed concern for his land; he had mercy on his people.He answered them: “Now I am going to give you grain and wine and olive oil, and you will be satisfied. Other nations will no longer despise you.

Mordecai had these events written down and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, throughout the Persian Empire,telling them to observe the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as holidays every year.These were the days on which the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies; this was a month that had been turned from a time of grief and despair into a time of joy and happiness. They were told to observe these days with feasts and parties, giving gifts of food to one another and to the poor.

In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (called the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (who had been brought up with Governor Herod), and Saul.and said, “You son of the Devil! You are the enemy of everything that is good. You are full of all kinds of evil tricks, and you always keep trying to turn the Lord's truths into lies!The Lord's hand will come down on you now; you will be blind and will not see the light of day for a time.” At once Elymas felt a dark mist cover his eyes, and he walked around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand.When the governor saw what had happened, he believed; for he was greatly amazed at the teaching about the Lord.Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and came to Perga, a city in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem.They went on from Perga and arrived in Antioch in Pisidia, and on the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and sat down.After the reading from the Law of Moses and from the writings of the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message: “Friends, we want you to speak to the people if you have a message of encouragement for them.”Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Fellow Israelites and all Gentiles here who worship God: hear me!The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors and made the people a great nation during the time they lived as foreigners in Egypt. God brought them out of Egypt by his great power,and for forty years he endured them in the desert.He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan and made his people the owners of the land.While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”All of this took about 450 years. “After this he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.And when they asked for a king, God gave them Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, to be their king for forty years.After removing him, God made David their king. This is what God said about him: ‘I have found that David son of Jesse is the kind of man I like, a man who will do all I want him to do.’It was Jesus, a descendant of David, whom God made the Savior of the people of Israel, as he had promised.Before Jesus began his work, John preached to all the people of Israel that they should turn from their sins and be baptized.And as John was about to finish his mission, he said to the people, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. But listen! He is coming after me, and I am not good enough to take his sandals off his feet.’ “My fellow Israelites, descendants of Abraham, and all Gentiles here who worship God: it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent!For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know that he is the Savior, nor did they understand the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Yet they made the prophets' words come true by condemning Jesus.And even though they could find no reason to pass the death sentence on him, they asked Pilate to have him put to death.And after they had done everything that the Scriptures say about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb.They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.

The Lord says, “If you treat the Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own interests on that day; if you value my holy day and honor it by not traveling, working, or talking idly on that day,then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. I will make you honored all over the world, and you will enjoy the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

Some time later the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with their allies, the Meunites, invaded Judah.“Now the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom have attacked us. When our ancestors came out of Egypt, you did not allow them to enter those lands, so our ancestors went around them and did not destroy them.This is how they repay us—they come to drive us out of the land that you gave us.You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.”All the men of Judah, with their wives and children, were standing there at the Temple.The spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite who was present in the crowd. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah; he was a member of the clan of Asaph and was descended from Asaph through Mattaniah, Jeiel, and Benaiah.Jahaziel said, “Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you.Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. You will meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel.You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the Lord give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the Lord will be with you!” Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the Lord.The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised the Lord, the God of Israel.Some messengers came and announced to King Jehoshaphat: “A large army from Edom has come from the other side of the Dead Sea to attack you. They have already captured Hazazon Tamar.” (This is another name for Engedi.)Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: “People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed.”After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army, singing: “Praise the Lord! His love is eternal!”When they began to sing, the Lord threw the invading armies into a panic.The Ammonites and the Moabites attacked the Edomite army and completely destroyed it, and then they turned on each other in savage fighting.When the Judean army reached a tower that was in the desert, they looked toward the enemy and saw that they were all lying on the ground dead. Not one had escaped.Jehoshaphat and his troops moved in to take the loot, and they found many cattle, supplies, clothing, and other valuable objects. They spent three days gathering the loot, but there was so much that they could not take everything.On the fourth day they assembled in Beracah Valley and praised the Lord for all he had done. That is why the valley is called “Beracah.”Jehoshaphat led his troops back to Jerusalem in triumph, because the Lord had defeated their enemies.When they reached the city, they marched to the Temple to the music of harps and trumpets.Every nation that heard how the Lord had defeated Israel's enemies was terrified,Jehoshaphat was frightened and prayed to the Lord for guidance. Then he gave orders for a fast to be observed throughout the country.so Jehoshaphat ruled in peace, and God gave him security on every side.

So Daniel went to the guard whom Ashpenaz had placed in charge of him and his three friends.“Test us for ten days,” he said. “Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

When Elijah finished speaking, Ahab tore his clothes, took them off, and put on sackcloth. He refused food, slept in the sackcloth, and went about gloomy and depressed.

The Israelites went to the place of worship at Bethel, and there they asked God, “Which tribe should attack the Benjaminites first?” The Lord answered, “The tribe of Judah.”So the Israelites started out the next morning and camped near the city of Gibeah.The leaders of all the tribes of Israel were present at this gathering of God's people, and there were 400,000 foot soldiers.They went to attack the army of Benjamin, and placed the soldiers in position facing the city.The army of Benjamin came out of the city, and before the day was over they had killed twenty-two thousand Israelite soldiers.Then the Israelites went to the place of worship and mourned in the presence of the Lord until evening. They asked him, “Should we go again into battle against our brothers the Benjaminites?” The Lord answered, “Yes.” So the Israelite army was encouraged, and they placed their soldiers in position again, where they had been the day before.They marched against the army of Benjamin a second time.And for the second time the Benjaminites came out of Gibeah, and this time they killed eighteen thousand trained Israelite soldiers.Then all the people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in the Lord's presence and did not eat until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole—all in the presence of the Lord.

After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry.At once they left their nets and went with him.He went on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them,and at once they left the boat and their father, and went with him.Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing people who had all kinds of disease and sickness.The news about him spread through the whole country of Syria, so that people brought to him all those who were sick, suffering from all kinds of diseases and disorders: people with demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people—and Jesus healed them all.Large crowds followed him from Galilee and the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, Judea, and the land on the other side of the Jordan.Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread.”But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’”

Give orders for a fast; call an assembly! Gather the leaders and all the people of Judah into the Temple of the Lord your God and cry out to him!The day of the Lord is near, the day when the Almighty brings destruction. What terror that day will bring!We look on helpless as our crops are destroyed. There is no joy in the Temple of our God.

For about three hours the Law of the Lord their God was read to them, and for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.

Then Nathan went home. The Lord caused the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David to become very sick.David prayed to God that the child would get well. He refused to eat anything, and every night he went into his room and spent the night lying on the floor.

Then the king returned to the palace and spent a sleepless night, without food or any form of entertainment.At dawn the king got up and hurried to the pit.In addition, he chose Daniel and two others to supervise the governors and to look after the king's interests.When he got there, he called out anxiously, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was the God you serve so loyally able to save you from the lions?”Daniel answered, “May Your Majesty live forever!God sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions so that they would not hurt me. He did this because he knew that I was innocent and because I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders for Daniel to be pulled up out of the pit. So they pulled him up and saw that he had not been hurt at all, for he trusted God.Then the king gave orders to arrest all those who had accused Daniel, and he had them thrown, together with their wives and children, into the pit filled with lions. Before they even reached the bottom of the pit, the lions pounced on them and broke all their bones.

where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. In all that time he ate nothing, so that he was hungry when it was over.

When you go without food, wash your face and comb your hair,

At once something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was able to see again. He stood up and was baptized;and after he had eaten, his strength came back. Saul stayed for a few days with the believers in Damascus.

Then he went from in front of the Temple into the living quarters of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, and spent the night there grieving over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. He did not eat or drink anything. A message was sent throughout Jerusalem and Judah that all those who had returned from exile were to meet in Jerusalemby order of the leaders of the people. If any failed to come within three days, all their property would be confiscated, and they would lose their right to be members of the community.

“But even now,” says the Lord, “repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning.

In the third year that Cyrus was emperor of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who is also called Belteshazzar. The message was true but extremely hard to understand. It was explained to him in a vision. Then a hand took hold of me and raised me to my hands and knees; I was still trembling.The angel said to me, “Daniel, God loves you. Stand up and listen carefully to what I am going to say. I have been sent to you.” When he had said this, I stood up, still trembling.Then he said, “Daniel, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in order to gain understanding. I have come in answer to your prayer.The angel prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me, because I had been left there alone in Persia.I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the future. This is a vision about the future.”When he said this, I stared at the ground, speechless.Then the angel, who looked like a human being, reached out and touched my lips. I said to him, “Sir, this vision makes me so weak that I can't stop trembling.I am like a slave standing before his master. How can I talk to you? I have no strength or breath left in me.”Once more he took hold of me, and I felt stronger.He said, “God loves you, so don't let anything worry you or frighten you.” When he had said this, I felt even stronger and said, “Sir, tell me what you have to say. You have made me feel better.”At that time I was mourning for three weeks.He said, “Do you know why I came to you? It is to reveal to you what is written in the Book of Truth. Now I have to go back and fight the guardian angel of Persia. After that the guardian angel of Greece will appear. There is no one to help me except Michael, Israel's guardian angel.I did not eat any rich food or any meat, drink any wine, or comb my hair until the three weeks were past.

Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches.I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.

Find out for yourself how good the Lord is. Happy are those who find safety with him.

O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed the sins of my people. I said, “Lord God, you are great, and we honor you. You are faithful to your covenant and show constant love to those who love you and do what you command.“We have sinned, we have been evil, we have done wrong. We have rejected what you commanded us to do and have turned away from what you showed us was right.We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our rulers, our ancestors, and our whole nation.

Some people said to Jesus, “The disciples of John fast frequently and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but your disciples eat and drink.”