Fasting, in Hebrew, means to “cover over the mouth.” In Greek, it means “to abstain from food”. Still, fasting can be accompanied by other “things” we give up during this time of fasting.
I did not find anywhere in the bible that food was not given up for fasting. For instance, Ezra 4:16: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
The Purpose of Biblical Fasting
The brief answer is that fasting shows our dependence on God. Biblical fasting is not a hunger strike between you and God. Going without food puts us in a state of helplessness. Fasting shows how we rely on His grace in every situation. It mandates that we ask the Lord to help with all our hearts in prayer.
Scripture often links the spiritual discipline of prayer to fasting (Dan. 9:3; Luke 2:37).
Brief History of Fasting
The Law called the first fast once per year on the day of Atonement (Lev 23:27.) Christ atoned for all once without an additional sacrifice, so we no longer look to a day of atonement.
The Bible contains examples of people who have abstained from food to seek God:
- Jesus fasted before He began His public ministry (Luke 4:1-2).
- Nehemiah fasted to help him confess his sins to God, turn away from them, and ask God for favor in the sight of the king of Persia so that he could get permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4).
- David fasted to ask God to intervene because of injustice (Psalm 35:13). In 2 Samuel 12:17-23, he asked for a miraculous healing.
- The early church fasted while worshiping and committing their ministry to the Lord. They also sought the Lord through fasting for guidance when they appointed leaders (Acts 13:2; 14:23).
- Moses: He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai while receiving the Ten Commandments from God (Exodus 34:28).
Why fast
- To follow Jesus’ example and expectation
- To humble oneself before God
- To express grief or repentance
- To seek God’s guidance or answers
- To grow closer to God and worship Him
- To gain spiritual strength and freedom
- To discipline oneself and depend on God
- To strengthen one’s prayers
Fasting in the new covenant is not commanded by God, nor is it a means of earning anything from God. Fasting is an act of humility in which we acknowledge our lust for the flesh and prayerfully focus more on who we are in Christ.
Fasting does not obligate God to respond in the way we have asked. He delights in us when we show our helplessness in fasting, and He will respond by giving us more knowledge of Himself and a sense of our dependence on His grace. Yet He may give us the specific request we bring to Him.
Not according to Scripture. In Isaiah 58, God rebukes the Israelites who go without food but do not change their behavior. Doing anything that does not glorify God will not bring His blessing.
This is not to be confused with biblical fasting, but anything you refrain from the self-denial of fleshly desires is a perfect way to bring glory to God. Denying ourselves and putting more trust in God will increase our faith, prayer life, and commitment to God.