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.

G1161ButG2250the daysG2064will come[G5695] G3752, whenG3566the bridegroomG522shall be taken away[G5686] G575fromG846themG2532, andG5119thenG3522shall they fast[G5692] G1722inG1565thoseG2250days.

H559Then said[H8799] H3372he unto me, Fear[H8799] H1840not, DanielH7223: for from the firstH3117dayH5414that thou didst set[H8804] H3820thine heartH995to understand[H8687] H6031, and to chasten[H8692] H6440thyself beforeH430thy GodH1697, thy wordsH8085were heard[H8738] H935, and I am come[H8804] H1697for thy words.

H6942Sanctify[H8761] H6685ye a fastH7121, call[H8798] H6116a solemn assemblyH622, gather[H8798] H2205the eldersH3427and all the inhabitants[H8802] H776of the landH1004into the houseH3068of the LORDH430your GodH2199, and cry[H8798] H3068unto the LORD,

G2532AndG2883CorneliusG5346said[G5713] G5067, FourG2250daysG575agoG2252I was[G5713] G3522fasting[G5723] G3360untilG5026thisG5610hourG2532; andG1766at the ninthG5610hourG4336I prayed[G5740] G1722inG3450myG3624houseG2532, andG2400, behold[G5628] G435, a manG2476stood[G5627] G1799beforeG3450meG1722inG2986brightG2066clothing,

G2532AndG2424JesusG2036said[G5627] G846unto themG3361, CanG1410 [G5736] G5207the childrenG3567of the bridechamberG3996mourn[G5721] G1909, as long asG3745 G3566the bridegroomG2076is[G5748] G3326withG846themG1161? butG2250the daysG2064will come[G5695] G3752, whenG3566the bridegroomG522shall be taken[G5686] G575fromG846themG2532, andG5119thenG3522shall they fast[G5692] .

G5119ThenG680touched he[G5662] G846theirG3788eyesG3004, saying[G5723] G2596, AccordingG5216to yourG4102faithG1096be it[G5676] G5213unto you.

H6685Is it such a fastH977that I have chosen[H8799] H3117? a dayH120for a manH6031to afflict[H8763] H5315his soulH3721? is it to bow down[H8800] H7218his headH100as a bulrushH3331, and to spread[H8686] H8242sackclothH665and ashesH7121under him ? wilt thou call[H8799] H2088thisH6685a fastH7522, and an acceptableH3117dayH3068to the LORD?

H6684Wherefore have we fasted[H8804] H7200, say they, and thou seest[H8804] H6031not? wherefore have we afflicted[H8765] H5315our soulH3045, and thou takest no knowledge[H8799] H3117? Behold, in the dayH6685of your fastH4672ye find[H8799] H2656pleasureH5065, and exact[H8799] H6092all your labours.

H5002Therefore also now, saith[H8803] H3068the LORDH7725, turn[H8798] H3824ye even to me with all your heartH6685, and with fastingH1065, and with weepingH4553, and with mourning:

G1161MoreoverG3752whenG3522ye fast[G5725] G1096, be[G5737] G3361notG5618, asG5273the hypocritesG4659, of a sad countenanceG1063: forG853they disfigure[G5719] G846theirG4383facesG3704, thatG5316they may appear[G5652] G444unto menG3522to fast[G5723] G281. VerilyG3004I say[G5719] G5213unto youG3754,G568They have[G5719] G846theirG3408reward.G1161ButG4771thouG3522, when thou fastest[G5723] G218, anoint[G5669] G4675thineG2776headG2532, andG3538wash[G5669] G4675thyG4383face;G3704ThatG5316thou appear[G5652] G3361notG444unto menG3522to fast[G5723] G235, butG4675unto thyG3962FatherG3588whichG1722is inG2927secretG2532: andG4675thyG3962FatherG3588, whichG991seeth[G5723] G1722inG2927secretG591, shall reward[G5692] G4671theeG1722openlyG5318 .

H6685Is not this the fastH977that I have chosen[H8799] H6605? to loose[H8763] H2784the bandsH7562of wickednessH5425, to undo[H8687] H4133the heavyH92burdensH7533, and to let the oppressed[H8803] H7971go[H8763] H2670freeH5423, and that ye break[H8762] H4133every yoke?H6536Is it not to deal[H8800] H3899thy breadH7457to the hungryH935, and that thou bring[H8686] H6041the poorH4788that are cast outH1004to thy houseH7200? when thou seest[H8799] H6174the nakedH3680, that thou cover[H8765] H5956him; and that thou hide[H8691] H1320not thyself from thine own flesh?

H5002Therefore also now, saith[H8803] H3068the LORDH7725, turn[H8798] H3824ye even to me with all your heartH6685, and with fastingH1065, and with weepingH4553, and with mourning:H7167And rend[H8798] H3824your heartH899, and not your garmentsH7725, and turn[H8798] H3068unto the LORDH430your GodH2587: for he is graciousH7349and mercifulH750, slowH639to angerH7227, and of greatH2617kindnessH5162, and repenteth[H8737] H7451him of the evil.

H8628Blow[H8798] H7782the trumpetH6726in ZionH6942, sanctify[H8761] H6685a fastH7121, call[H8798] H6116a solemn assembly:

H6685Is not this the fastH977that I have chosen[H8799] H6605? to loose[H8763] H2784the bandsH7562of wickednessH5425, to undo[H8687] H4133the heavyH92burdensH7533, and to let the oppressed[H8803] H7971go[H8763] H2670freeH5423, and that ye break[H8762] H4133every yoke?

H582So the peopleH5210of NinevehH539believed[H8686] H430GodH7121, and proclaimed[H8799] H6685a fastH3847, and put[H8799] H8242on sackclothH1419, from the greatestH6996of them even to the least of them.

G1161AsG846theyG3008ministered[G5723] G2962to the LordG2532, andG3522fasted[G5723] G40, the HolyG4151GhostG2036said[G5627] G1211,G873Separate[G5657] G3427meG5037 G921BarnabasG2532andG4569SaulG1519forG2041the workG3739whereuntoG4341I have called[G5766] G846them.G5119AndG3522when they had fasted[G5660] G2532andG4336prayed[G5666] G2532, andG2007laidG5495their handsG2007on[G5631] G846themG630, they sent them away[G5656] .

H3068And he was there with the LORDH705fortyH3117daysH705and fortyH3915nightsH398; he did neither eat[H8804] H3899breadH8354, nor drink[H8804] H4325waterH3789. And he wrote[H8799] H3871upon the tablesH1697the wordsH1285of the covenantH6235, the tenH1697commandments.

H2470But as for me, when they were sick[H8800] H3830, my clothingH8242was sackclothH6031: I humbled[H8765] H5315my soulH6685with fastingH8605; and my prayerH7725returned[H8799] H2436into mine own bosom.

G1161AndG5500when they had ordained[G5660] G846themG4245eldersG2596in everyG1577churchG4336, and had prayed[G5666] G3326withG3521fastingG3908, they commended[G5639] G846themG2962to the LordG1519, onG3739whomG4100they believed[G5715] .

H7121Then shalt thou call[H8799] H3068, and the LORDH6030shall answer[H8799] H7768; thou shalt cry[H8762] H559, and he shall say[H8799] H5493, Here I am . If thou take away[H8686] H8432from the midstH4133of thee the yokeH7971, the putting forth[H8800] H676of the fingerH1696, and speaking[H8763] H205vanity;H6329And if thou draw out[H8686] H5315thy soulH7457to the hungryH7646, and satisfy[H8686] H6031the afflicted[H8737] H5315soulH216; then shall thy lightH2224rise[H8804] H2822in obscurityH653, and thy darknessH6672be as the noonday:H3068And the LORDH5148shall guide[H8804] H8548thee continuallyH7646, and satisfy[H8689] H5315thy soulH6710in droughtH2502, and make fat[H8686] H6106thy bonesH7302: and thou shalt be like a wateredH1588gardenH4161, and like a springH4325of waterH4325, whose watersH3576fail[H8762]  not.

H7121Then I proclaimed[H8799] H6685a fastH5104there, at the riverH163of AhavaH6031, that we might afflict[H8692] H6440ourselves beforeH430our GodH1245, to seek[H8763] H3477of him a rightH1870wayH2945for us, and for our little onesH7399, and for all our substance.H954For I was ashamed[H8804] H7592to require[H8800] H4428of the kingH2428a band of soldiersH6571and horsemenH5826to help[H8800] H341us against the enemy[H8802] H1870in the wayH559: because we had spoken[H8804] H4428unto the kingH559, saying[H8800] H3027, The handH430of our GodH2896is upon all them for goodH1245that seek[H8764] H5797him; but his powerH639and his wrathH5800is against all them that forsake[H8802]  him.H6684So we fasted[H8799] H1245and besought[H8762] H430our GodH6279for this: and he was intreated[H8735]  of us.

G1161AndG2424JesusG4134being fullG40of the HolyG4151GhostG5290returned[G5656] G575fromG2446JordanG2532, andG71was led[G5712] G1722byG4151the SpiritG1519intoG2048the wilderness,G3985BeingG5062fortyG2250daysG3985tempted[G5746] G5259ofG1228the devilG2532. AndG1722inG1565thoseG2250daysG5315he did eat[G5627] G3756nothingG3762 G2532: andG846when theyG4931were ended[G5685] G5305, he afterwardG3983hungered[G5656] .

H3092And JehoshaphatH3372feared[H8799] H5414, and set[H8799] H6440himselfH1875to seek[H8800] H3068the LORDH7121, and proclaimed[H8799] H6685a fastH5921throughoutH3063all Judah.H3063And JudahH6908gathered themselves together[H8735] H1245, to ask[H8763] H3068help of the LORDH5892: even out of all the citiesH3063of JudahH935they came[H8804] H1245to seek[H8763] H3068the LORD.

H1058When I wept[H8799] H5315, and chastened my soulH6685with fastingH2781, that was to my reproach.

H1121Then all the childrenH3478of IsraelH5971, and all the peopleH5927, went up[H8799] H935, and came[H8799] H1004unto the houseH430of God[H8677] H1008 H1058, and wept[H8799] H3427, and sat[H8799] H6440there beforeH3068the LORDH6684, and fasted[H8799] H3117that dayH6153until evenH5927, and offered[H8686] H5930burnt offeringsH8002and peace offeringsH6440beforeH3068the LORD.

G650Defraud ye[G5720] G3361notG240one the otherG1509, exceptG302 G5100it beG1537withG4859consentG4314forG2540a timeG2443, thatG4980ye may give yourselves[G5725] G3521to fastingG2532andG4335prayerG2532; andG4905come[G5741] G1909togetherG846 G3825againG3363, thatG4567SatanG3985tempt[G5725] G5209youG3363notG1223forG5216yourG192incontinency.

H6908And they gathered together[H8735] H4709to MizpehH7579, and drew[H8799] H4325waterH8210, and poured it out[H8799] H6440beforeH3068the LORDH6684, and fasted[H8799] H3117on that dayH559, and said[H8799] H2398there, We have sinned[H8804] H3068against the LORDH8050. And SamuelH8199judged[H8799] H1121the childrenH3478of IsraelH4708in Mizpeh.

G2532AndG3522when he had fasted[G5660] G5062fortyG2250daysG2532andG5062fortyG3571nightsG5305, he was afterwardG3983an hungred[G5656] .

G1161AndG2036they said[G5627] G4314untoG846himG1302, WhyG3522doG3101the disciplesG2491of JohnG3522fast[G5719] G4437oftenG2532, andG4160make[G5731] G1162prayersG2532, andG3668likewiseG3588the disciplesG5330of the PhariseesG1161; butG4674thineG2068eat[G5719] G2532andG4095drink[G5719] ?G1161AndG2036he said[G5627] G4314untoG846themG3361,G1410Can ye[G5736] G4160make[G5658] G5207the childrenG3567of the bridechamberG3522fast[G5721] G3739, whileG1722 G3566the bridegroomG2076is[G5748] G3326withG846them?G1161ButG2250the daysG2064will come[G5695] G3752, whenG2532 G3566the bridegroomG522shall be taken away[G5686] G575fromG846themG5119, and thenG3522shall they fast[G5692] G1722inG1565thoseG2250days.

H559Speak[H8798] H5971unto all the peopleH776of the landH3548, and to the priestsH559, saying[H8800] H6684, When ye fasted[H8804] H5594and mourned[H8800] H2549in the fifthH7637and seventhH7657month, even those seventyH8141yearsH6684, did ye at all[H8800] H6684fast[H8804]  unto me, even to me?

H8085And it came to pass, when I heard[H8800] H1697these wordsH3427, that I sat down[H8804] H1058and wept[H8799] H56, and mourned[H8691] H3117certain daysH6684, and fasted[H8802] H6419, and prayed[H8693] H6440beforeH430the GodH8064of heaven,

H7121Then shalt thou call[H8799] H3068, and the LORDH6030shall answer[H8799] H7768; thou shalt cry[H8762] H559, and he shall say[H8799] H5493, Here I am . If thou take away[H8686] H8432from the midstH4133of thee the yokeH7971, the putting forth[H8800] H676of the fingerH1696, and speaking[H8763] H205vanity;H6329And if thou draw out[H8686] H5315thy soulH7457to the hungryH7646, and satisfy[H8686] H6031the afflicted[H8737] H5315soulH216; then shall thy lightH2224rise[H8804] H2822in obscurityH653, and thy darknessH6672be as the noonday:

H3092And JehoshaphatH3372feared[H8799] H5414, and set[H8799] H6440himselfH1875to seek[H8800] H3068the LORDH7121, and proclaimed[H8799] H6685a fastH5921throughoutH3063all Judah.

G5013Humble yourselves[G5682] G1799in the sightG2962of the LordG2532, andG5312he shall liftG5209youG5312up[G5692] .

H559Speak[H8798] H5971unto all the peopleH776of the landH3548, and to the priestsH559, saying[H8800] H6684, When ye fasted[H8804] H5594and mourned[H8800] H2549in the fifthH7637and seventhH7657month, even those seventyH8141yearsH6684, did ye at all[H8800] H6684fast[H8804]  unto me, even to me?H398And when ye did eat[H8799] H8354, and when ye did drink[H8799] H398, did not ye eat[H8802] H8354for yourselves, and drink[H8802]  for yourselves ?

H582So the peopleH5210of NinevehH539believed[H8686] H430GodH7121, and proclaimed[H8799] H6685a fastH3847, and put[H8799] H8242on sackclothH1419, from the greatestH6996of them even to the least of them.H1697For wordH5060came[H8799] H4428unto the kingH5210of NinevehH6965, and he arose[H8799] H3678from his throneH5674, and he laid[H8686] H155his robeH3680from him, and covered[H8762] H8242him with sackclothH3427, and sat[H8799] H665in ashes.H2199And he caused it to be proclaimed[H8686] H559and published[H8799] H5210through NinevehH2940by the decreeH4428of the kingH1419and his noblesH559, saying[H8800] H120, Let neither manH929nor beastH1241, herdH6629nor flockH2938, taste[H8799] H3972any thingH7462: let them not feed[H8799] H8354, nor drink[H8799] H4325water:H120But let manH929and beastH3680be covered[H8691] H8242with sackclothH7121, and cry[H8799] H2394mightilyH430unto GodH7725: yea, let them turn[H8799] H376every oneH7451from his evilH1870wayH2555, and from the violenceH3709that is in their hands.H3045Who can tell[H8802] H430if GodH7725will turn[H8799] H5162and repent[H8738] H7725, and turn away[H8804] H2740from his fierceH639angerH6, that we perish[H8799]  not?H430And GodH7200saw[H8799] H4639their worksH7725, that they turned[H8804] H7451from their evilH1870wayH430; and GodH5162repented[H8735] H7451of the evilH1696, that he had said[H8765] H6213that he would do[H8800] H6213unto them; and he did[H8804]  it not.

G1161AndG1096it came to pass[G5633] G1722inG5025thoseG2250daysG1831, that he went out[G5627] G1519intoG3735a mountainG4336to pray[G5664] G2532, andG1273continued all night[G5723] G2258 [G5713] G1722inG4335prayerG2316to God.

H6923Wherewith shall I come before[H8762] H3068the LORDH3721, and bow[H8735] H4791myself before the highH430GodH6923? shall I come before[H8762] H5930him with burnt offeringsH5695, with calvesH8141of a yearH1121old?H3068Will the LORDH7521be pleased[H8799] H505with thousandsH352of ramsH7233, or with ten thousandsH5158of riversH8081of oilH5414? shall I give[H8799] H1060my firstbornH6588for my transgressionH6529, the fruitH990of my bodyH2403for the sinH5315of my soul?H5046He hath shewed[H8689] H120thee, O manH2896, what is goodH3068; and what doth the LORDH1875require[H8802] H6213of thee, but to do[H8800] H4941justlyH160, and to loveH2617mercyH3212, and to walk[H8800] H6800humbly[H8687] H430with thy God?

G5119ThenG4334came[G5736] G846to himG3101the disciplesG2491of JohnG3004, saying[G5723] G1302, WhyG2249do weG2532andG5330the PhariseesG3522fast[G5719] G4183oftG1161, butG4675thyG3101disciplesG3522fast[G5719] G3756not?G2532AndG2424JesusG2036said[G5627] G846unto themG3361, CanG1410 [G5736] G5207the childrenG3567of the bridechamberG3996mourn[G5721] G1909, as long asG3745 G3566the bridegroomG2076is[G5748] G3326withG846themG1161? butG2250the daysG2064will come[G5695] G3752, whenG3566the bridegroomG522shall be taken[G5686] G575fromG846themG2532, andG5119thenG3522shall they fast[G5692] .

G1063ForG4561the fleshG1937lusteth[G5719] G2596againstG4151the SpiritG1161, andG4151the SpiritG2596againstG4561the fleshG1161: andG5023theseG480are contrary[G5736] G240the one to the otherG2443: so thatG3363ye cannotG4160do[G5725] G5023the thingsG3739thatG302 G2309ye would[G5725] .

G3870I beseech[G5719] G5209youG3767thereforeG80, brethrenG1223, byG3628the merciesG2316of GodG3936, that ye present[G5658] G5216yourG4983bodiesG2198a living[G5723] G2378sacrificeG40, holyG2101, acceptableG2316unto GodG5216, which is yourG3050reasonableG2999service.G2532AndG4964beG3361notG4964conformed[G5728] G5129to thisG165worldG235: butG3339be ye transformed[G5744] G342by the renewingG5216of yourG3563mindG1519, thatG5209yeG1381may prove[G5721] G5101whatG18is that goodG2532, andG2101acceptableG2532, andG5046perfectG2307, willG2316of God.

G3309Be careful[G5720] G3367for nothingG235; butG1722inG3956every thingG4335by prayerG2532andG1162supplicationG3326withG2169thanksgivingG1107letG5216yourG155requestsG1107be made known[G5744] G4314untoG2316God.G2532AndG1515the peaceG2316of GodG3588, whichG5242passeth[G5723] G3956allG3563understandingG5432, shall keep[G5692] G5216yourG2588heartsG2532andG5216mindsG3540 G1722throughG5547ChristG2424Jesus.

H6960But they that wait[H8802] H3068upon the LORDH2498shall renew[H8686] H3581their strengthH5927; they shall mount up[H8799] H83with wingsH5404as eaglesH7323; they shall run[H8799] H3021, and not be weary[H8799] H3212; and they shall walk[H8799] H3286, and not faint[H8799] .

G1127Watch[G5720] G2532andG4336pray[G5737] G3363, thatG1525ye enter[G5632] G3363notG1519intoG3986temptationG4151: the spiritG3303indeedG4289is willingG1161, butG4561the fleshG772is weak.

H2470But as for me, when they were sick[H8800] H3830, my clothingH8242was sackclothH6031: I humbled[H8765] H5315my soulH6685with fastingH8605; and my prayerH7725returned[H8799] H2436into mine own bosom.H1980I behaved[H8694] H7453myself as though he had been my friendH251or brotherH7817: I bowed down[H8804] H6937heavily[H8802] H57, as one that mournethH517for his mother.

G3870I beseech[G5719] G5209youG3767thereforeG80, brethrenG1223, byG3628the merciesG2316of GodG3936, that ye present[G5658] G5216yourG4983bodiesG2198a living[G5723] G2378sacrificeG40, holyG2101, acceptableG2316unto GodG5216, which is yourG3050reasonableG2999service.

G3522I fast[G5719] G1364twiceG4521in the weekG586, I give tithes[G5719] G3956of allG3745thatG2932I possess[G5736] .

G1063(ForG3696the weaponsG2257of ourG4752warfareG3756are notG4559carnalG235, butG1415mightyG2316through GodG4314toG2506the pulling downG3794of strong holds;)G2507Casting down[G5723] G3053imaginationsG2532, andG3956everyG5313high thingG1869that exalteth itself[G5734] G2596againstG1108the knowledgeG2316of GodG2532, andG163bringing into captivity[G5723] G3956everyG3540thoughtG1519toG5218the obedienceG5547of Christ;

H5329To the chief Musician[H8764] H4905, Maschil[H8688] H1121, for the sonsH7141of KorahH354. As the hartH6165panteth[H8799] H4325after the waterH650brooksH6165, so panteth[H8799] H5315my soulH430after thee, O God.H5315My soulH6770thirsteth[H8804] H430for GodH2416, for the livingH410GodH935: when shall I come[H8799] H7200and appear[H8735] H6440beforeH430God?

H1290My kneesH3782are weak[H8804] H6685through fastingH1320; and my fleshH3584faileth[H8804] H8081of fatness.

G5105WhereforeG2532seeing we alsoG2192are[G5723] G4029compassed about[G5740] G2254 G5118with so greatG3509a cloudG3144of witnessesG659, letG2249usG659lay aside[G5642] G3956everyG3591weightG2532, andG266the sinG2139which doth so easily besetG5143us, and let us run[G5725] G1223withG5281patienceG73the raceG4295that is set before[G5740] G2254us,

H3117In those daysH1840I DanielH56was mourning[H8693] H7969threeH3117fullH7620weeks.H398I ate[H8804] H2532no pleasantH3899breadH935, neither came[H8804] H1320fleshH3196nor wineH6310in my mouthH5480, neither did I anoint[H8804] H5480myself at all[H8800] H7969, till threeH3117wholeH7620weeksH4390were fulfilled[H8800] .

G1063(ForG4183manyG4043walk[G5719] G3739, of whomG3004I have told[G5707] G5213youG4178oftenG1161, andG3568nowG3004tell[G5719] G2532you evenG2799weeping[G5723] G2190, that they are the enemiesG4716of the crossG5547of Christ:G3739WhoseG5056endG684is destructionG3739, whoseG2316GodG2836is their bellyG2532, andG1391whose gloryG1722is inG846theirG152shameG3588, whoG5426mind[G5723] G1919earthly things.)

G69Watch ye[G5720] G3767thereforeG1189, and pray[G5740] G1722alwaysG3956 G2540 G2443, thatG2661ye may be accounted worthy[G5686] G1628to escape[G5629] G3956allG5023these thingsG3195that shall[G5723] G1096come to pass[G5738] G2532, andG2476to stand[G5683] G1715beforeG5207the SonG444of man.

H5414Grant[H8799] H3824thee according to thine own heartH4390, and fulfil[H8762] H6098all thy counsel.

G1161ButG2212seek ye[G5720] G4412firstG932the kingdomG2316of GodG2532, andG846hisG1343righteousnessG2532; andG3956allG5023these thingsG4369shall be added[G5701] G5213unto you.

H1254Create[H8798] H2889in me a cleanH3820heartH430, O GodH2318; and renew[H8761] H3559a right[H8737] H7307spiritH7130within me.H7993Cast me not away[H8686] H6440from thy presenceH3947; and take[H8799] H6944not thy holyH7307spirit from me.H7725Restore[H8685] H8342unto me the joyH3468of thy salvationH5564; and uphold[H8799] H5081me with thy freeH7307spirit.

G3004This I say[G5719] G1161thenG4043, Walk[G5720] G4151in the SpiritG2532, andG5055ye shallG3364notG5055fulfil[G5661] G1939the lustG4561of the flesh.G1063ForG4561the fleshG1937lusteth[G5719] G2596againstG4151the SpiritG1161, andG4151the SpiritG2596againstG4561the fleshG1161: andG5023theseG480are contrary[G5736] G240the one to the otherG2443: so thatG3363ye cannotG4160do[G5725] G5023the thingsG3739thatG302 G2309ye would[G5725] .

H6684So we fasted[H8799] H1245and besought[H8762] H430our GodH6279for this: and he was intreated[H8735]  of us.

G2532AndG2036he said[G5627] G846unto themG5124, ThisG1085kindG1410can[G5736] G1831come forth[G5629] G1722byG3762nothingG1508, butG1722byG4335prayerG2532andG3521fasting.

H7121Then I proclaimed[H8799] H6685a fastH5104there, at the riverH163of AhavaH6031, that we might afflict[H8692] H6440ourselves beforeH430our GodH1245, to seek[H8763] H3477of him a rightH1870wayH2945for us, and for our little onesH7399, and for all our substance.

G1161ButG4771thouG3522, when thou fastest[G5723] G218, anoint[G5669] G4675thineG2776headG2532, andG3538wash[G5669] G4675thyG4383face;G3704ThatG5316thou appear[G5652] G3361notG444unto menG3522to fast[G5723] G235, butG4675unto thyG3962FatherG3588whichG1722is inG2927secretG2532: andG4675thyG3962FatherG3588, whichG991seeth[G5723] G1722inG2927secretG591, shall reward[G5692] G4671theeG1722openlyG5318 .

G1161HowbeitG5124thisG1085kindG1607goethG3756notG1607out[G5736] G1508butG1722byG4335prayerG2532andG3521fasting.

G1161MoreoverG3752whenG3522ye fast[G5725] G1096, be[G5737] G3361notG5618, asG5273the hypocritesG4659, of a sad countenanceG1063: forG853they disfigure[G5719] G846theirG4383facesG3704, thatG5316they may appear[G5652] G444unto menG3522to fast[G5723] G281. VerilyG3004I say[G5719] G5213unto youG3754,G568They have[G5719] G846theirG3408reward.

G1161AndG3956every manG75that striveth for the mastery[G5740] G1467is temperate[G5736] G3956in all thingsG3303.G3767NowG1565theyG2443do it toG2983obtain[G5632] G5349a corruptibleG4735crownG1161; butG2249weG862an incorruptible.G1473IG5106thereforeG3779soG5143run[G5719] G3756, notG5613asG84uncertainlyG3779; soG4438fight I[G5719] G3756, notG5613asG1194one that beateth[G5723] G109the air:G235ButG5299I keep under[G5719] G3450myG4983bodyG2532, andG1396bring it into subjection[G5719] G3381: lest that by any meansG4458 G2784, when I have preached[G5660] G243to othersG846, I myselfG1096should be[G5638] G96a castaway.

H5414And I set[H8799] H6440my faceH136unto the LordH430GodH1245, to seek[H8763] H8605by prayerH8469and supplicationsH6685, with fastingH8242, and sackclothH665, and ashes:

Prayer