Bible Verses About Fasting and Prayer

What the Bible says

1. Scripture

   And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

   Daniel joins fasting to prayer and humble seeking. Fasting intensifies dependence; it is not a substitute for prayer.

2. Scripture

   Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

   Joel calls for heart-turning with fasting. The point is return to God, not empty ritual.

3. Scripture

   Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

   Jesus assumes His disciples will fast (“when ye fast”) and forbids theatrical sadness. Secret devotion matters more than public display.

4. Scripture

   Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

   Isaiah confronts religious fasting that ignores justice. A true fast aligns with mercy and repentance, not self-advertisement.

5. Scripture

   As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

   The early church fasted and prayed when seeking guidance for mission. Fasting can accompany major decisions under God’s leading.

6. Scripture

   And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

   Nehemiah’s grief for God’s people expressed itself in fasting and prayer. Fasting can accompany lament as well as petition.

A grounded way to understand this

Biblically, fasting is voluntarily setting aside food (or another ordinary comfort) for a time in order to seek God with fuller attention. It is often paired with prayer, repentance, and humility. It is not a way to force God’s hand, impress people, or earn salvation. What fasting is not: a public badge of spirituality, a diet plan baptized with religious language, or a replacement for obedience. Isaiah warns against fasting that leaves oppression untouched. If you fast, begin simply: a defined time, clear purpose before God, continued prayer, and ordinary kindness toward others. Those who should not fast for medical reasons can still practice other forms of focused seeking—Scripture, prayer, and repentance—without shame. For broader teaching on prayer itself, see the related prayer guides.

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