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.

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

“Do not fear, Daniel,” he continued; “from the first day you made up your mind to acquire understanding and humble yourself before God, your prayer was heard. Because of it I started out,

Proclaim a holy fast! Call an assembly! Gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, To the house of the Lord, your God, and cry out to the Lord!

Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said,

Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

Is this the manner of fasting I would choose, a day to afflict oneself? To bow one’s head like a reed, and lie upon sackcloth and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

“Why do we fast, but you do not see it? afflict ourselves, but you take no note?” See, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers.

Yet even now—oracle of the Lord— return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. Treasure in Heaven.

Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?

Yet even now—oracle of the Lord— return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment.

Blow the horn in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly!

Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?

the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he provided judges up to Samuel [the] prophet.Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel;and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath.For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death,and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. First Mission Begins in Cyprus.

So Moses was there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, without eating any food or drinking any water, and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten words.

Yet I, when they were ill, put on sackcloth, afflicted myself with fasting, sobbed my prayers upon my bosom.

They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith.

Then I proclaimed a fast, there by the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions.For I was ashamed to ask the king for troops and horsemen to protect us against enemies along the way, since we had said to the king, “The favoring hand of our God is over all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who forsake him.”So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted.

Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desertfor it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’”When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry.Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. The Rejection at Nazareth.He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to readand was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry.

Frightened, Jehoshaphat resolved to consult the Lord. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.Thereafter Jehoshaphat’s kingdom had peace, for his God gave him rest on every side. Jehoshaphat’s Other Deeds.Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi.He walked in the way of Asa his father unceasingly, doing what was right in the Lord’s sight.Nevertheless, the high places did not disappear and the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.The rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, are recorded in the chronicle of Jehu, son of Hanani, which was incorporated into the book of the kings of Israel.After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel—he acted wickedly.He joined with him in building ships to go to Tarshish; the fleet was built at Ezion-geber.But Eliezer, son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said: “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will shatter your work.” And the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish.Then Judah gathered to seek the Lord’s help; from every one of the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. Jehoshaphat’s Prayer.

Because zeal for your house has consumed me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

So the entire Israelite army went up and entered Bethel, where they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and communion offerings before the Lord.

Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out on the ground before the Lord, and they fasted that day, saying, “We have sinned against the Lord.” It was at Mizpah that Samuel began to judge the Israelites. Rout of the Philistines.

He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.”Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”

Say to all the people of the land and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and in the seventh month these seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?

When I heard this report, I began to weep and continued mourning for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Frightened, Jehoshaphat resolved to consult the Lord. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.

Say to all the people of the land and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and in the seventh month these seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?When you were eating and drinking, was it not for yourselves that you ate and for yourselves that you drank?

In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.

With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Then the disciples of John approached him and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?”Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. Many Parts in One Body.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Yet I, when they were ill, put on sackcloth, afflicted myself with fasting, sobbed my prayers upon my bosom.I went about in grief as for my brother, bent in mourning as for my mother.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’

for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy argumentsand every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ,

For the leader. A maskil of the Korahites.I will say to God, my rock: “Why do you forget me? Why must I go about mourning with the enemy oppressing me?”It shatters my bones, when my adversaries reproach me, when they say to me every day: “Where is your God?”Why are you downcast, my soul, why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God.As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.

My knees totter from fasting; my flesh has wasted away.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us

In those days, I, Daniel, mourned three full weeks.“Do you know,” he asked, “why I have come to you? Soon I must fight the prince of Persia again. When I leave, the prince of Greece will come;but I shall tell you what is written in the book of truth. No one supports me against these except Michael, your prince,I ate no savory food, took no meat or wine, and did not anoint myself at all until the end of the three weeks.

For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things.

Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Ministry in Jerusalem.

May he remember your every offering, graciously accept your burnt offering, Selah

But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice.Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities.A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.

I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.

So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted.

He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” The Second Prediction of the Passion.

Then I proclaimed a fast, there by the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. Treasure in Heaven.

] The Second Prediction of the Passion.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Prayer