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66 Bible verses about the power of Fasting
The power of fasting really lies in honestly opening your heart to the Lord. It's in that space where His love shines through and transforms every part of who you are. Fasting is something you do when you’re truly seeking Jesus, when you're willing to sacrifice physical needs to ask for a deeper connection with Him.
It strengthens your spirit, grows your faith, and draws you closer to God. By saying "no" to the physical demands of your body, you're saying "yes" to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. It's about prioritizing that connection above all else.
When you abstain from food or drink for a set time, it’s like a spiritual and physical cleanse. It helps to clear away anything that might be holding you back or weighing you down.
Remember what Matthew 6:16-171 says – it's not about showing off or seeking attention when you fast. It's about humility and sincerity before the Lord.
He told me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. God has heard everything that you said ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in front of your God so that you could learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer.
Schedule a time to fast! Call for an assembly! Gather the leaders and everyone who lives in the land. Bring them to the temple of the Lord your God, and cry to the Lord for help.
Cornelius answered, “Four days ago I was praying at home. It was at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man dressed in radiant clothes stood in front of me.
Jesus replied, “Can wedding guests be sad while the groom is still with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.
Is this the kind of fasting I have chosen? Should people humble themselves for ⌞only⌟ a day? Is fasting just bowing your head like a cattail and making your bed from sackcloth and ashes? Is this what you call fasting? Is this an acceptable day to the Lord?
Why have we fasted if you are not aware of it? Why have we inflicted pain on ourselves if you don’t pay attention? Don’t you see that on the days you fast, you do what you want to do? You mistreat all your workers.
“But even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart— with fasting, crying, and mourning.”
“When you fast, stop looking sad like hypocrites. They put on sad faces to make it obvious that they’re fasting. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward.When you fast, wash your face and comb your hair.Then your fasting won’t be obvious. Instead, it will be obvious to your Father who is with you in private. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you.
This is the kind of fasting I have chosen: Loosen the chains of wickedness, untie the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.Share your food with the hungry, take the poor and homeless into your house, and cover them with clothes when you see ⌞them⌟ naked. Don’t refuse to help your relatives.
“But even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart— with fasting, crying, and mourning.”Tear your hearts, not your clothes. Return to the Lord your God. He is merciful and compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive and to change his plans about disaster.
This is the kind of fasting I have chosen: Loosen the chains of wickedness, untie the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.
The people of Nineveh believed God. They decided to fast, and everyone, from the most important to the least important, dressed in sackcloth.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me. I want them to do the work for which I called them.”He did all this in about four hundred and fifty years. “After that he gave his people judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.“Then the people demanded a king, so God gave them Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. After forty yearsGod removed Saul and made David their king. God spoke favorably about David. He said, ‘I have found that David, son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’“God had the Savior, Jesus, come to Israel from David’s descendants, as he had promised.Before Jesus began his ministry, John ⌞the Baptizer⌟ told everyone in Israel about the baptism of repentance.When John was finishing his work, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the person you’re looking for. He will come later. I’m not even good enough to untie his sandals.’“Brothers—descendants of Abraham and converts to Judaism—the message that God saves people was sent to us.The people who live in Jerusalem and their rulers didn’t know who Jesus was. They didn’t understand the prophets’ messages, which are read every day of rest—a holy day. So they condemned Jesus and fulfilled what the prophets had said.Although they couldn’t find any good reason to kill him, they asked Pilate to have him executed.When they had finished doing everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb.After fasting and praying, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul, and released them ⌞from their work in Antioch⌟.
Moses was there with the Lord 40 days and 40 nights without food or water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the promise, the ten commandments.
But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. When my prayer returned unanswered,
They had the disciples in each church choose spiritual leaders, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted the leaders to the Lord in whom they believed.
Then I announced a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might humble ourselves in the presence of our God to ask him for a safe journey for ourselves, for our little ones, and for all our goods.I was ashamed to ask the king for an armed escort with cavalry to help us against an enemy attack on the way. We had already told the king, “Our God works things out for the good of everyone who dedicates his life to serving him, but his power and his anger oppose everyone who abandons him.”So we fasted and asked our God for a safe journey, and he answered our prayer.
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert,Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully.They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.’ ”Jesus answered him, “It has been said, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’ ” After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time.Jesus returned to Galilee. The power of the Spirit was with him, and the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country.He taught in the synagogues, and everyone praised him.Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual he went into the synagogue on the day of rest—a holy day. He stood up to read the lesson.The attendant gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it read:“The Spirit of the Lord is with me. He has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to forgive those who have been shattered by sin,to announce the year of the Lord’s favor.”where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry.
Frightened, Jehoshaphat decided to ask for the Lord’s help. He announced a fast throughout Judah.Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was peaceful, since his God surrounded him with peace.Jehoshaphat ruled as king of Judah. He was 35 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi.Jehoshaphat carefully followed the example his father Asa had set and did what the Lord considered right.But the illegal worship sites on the hills were not torn down. The people still didn’t have their hearts set on the God of their ancestors.Everything else about Jehoshaphat from first to last is written in the records of Jehu, son of Hanani, which is included in the Book of the Kings of Israel.After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.Jehoshaphat joined him in making ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.Then Eliezer, son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “The Lord will destroy your work because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah.” So the ships were wrecked and couldn’t go to Tarshish.The people of Judah gathered to seek the Lord’s help. They came from every city in Judah.
Then all the men of Israel and all the troops went to Bethel. They sat there and cried in the presence of the Lord and fasted that day until evening. Then they sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord.
Don’t withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so for a set time to devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should get back together so that Satan doesn’t use your lack of self-control to tempt you.
So the Israelites gathered together at Mizpah. They drew some water, poured it out in front of the Lord, and fasted that day. They confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” So Samuel judged Israel in Mizpah.
Jesus did not eat anything for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of that time, he was hungry.
They said to him, “John’s disciples frequently fast and say prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. But your disciples eat and drink.”Jesus asked them, “Can you force wedding guests to fast while the groom is still with them?The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. At that time they will fast.”
“Tell all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these past 70 years, did you really do it for me?
When I heard this, I sat down and cried. I mourned for days. I continued to fast and pray to the God of heaven.
Frightened, Jehoshaphat decided to ask for the Lord’s help. He announced a fast throughout Judah.
“Tell all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these past 70 years, did you really do it for me?When you ate and drank, didn’t you do it to benefit yourselves?
What should I bring when I come into the Lord’s presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven? Should I bring him year-old calves as burnt offerings?Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with endless streams of olive oil? Should I give him my firstborn child because of my rebellious acts? Should I give him my young child for my sin?You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.
Then John’s disciples came to Jesus. They said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often but your disciples never do?”Jesus replied, “Can wedding guests be sad while the groom is still with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.
What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do.
Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord.Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable.Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them.Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.
Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.
Stay awake, and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.”
But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. When my prayer returned unanswered,I walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent over as if I were mourning for my mother.
Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.
The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their argumentsand all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.With a shattering blow to my bones, my enemies taunt me. They ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When may I come to see God’s face?
My knees give way because I have been fasting. My body has become lean, without any fat.
Since we are surrounded by so many examples ⌞of faith⌟, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.
During those days I, Daniel, mourned for three whole weeks.He asked, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight the commander of Persia. When I go, the commander of Greece will come.However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the true writings. No one will support me when I fight these commanders except your commander, Michael.I didn’t eat any good-tasting food. No meat or wine entered my mouth. I didn’t wash myself until the entire three weeks were over.
I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ.In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things.
Be alert at all times. Pray so that you have the power to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand in front of the Son of Man.”
But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.
Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me.Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.
Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants.What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do.
Then I announced a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might humble ourselves in the presence of our God to ask him for a safe journey for ourselves, for our little ones, and for all our goods.
When you fast, wash your face and comb your hair.Then your fasting won’t be obvious. Instead, it will be obvious to your Father who is with you in private. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you.
“When you fast, stop looking sad like hypocrites. They put on sad faces to make it obvious that they’re fasting. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward.
Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent.So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing.Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.
So I turned to the Lord God and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.