Fasting these days has become a buzzword, tossed around carelessly. But Christian fasting has a deep history rooted in Scripture.
While there are physical benefits, the true purpose goes far beyond the body—it is about the spirit.
All of this is guided and taught throughout the Bible. Even Jesus has very specific things to say about fasting.
But what exactly is fasting in the Christian faith?
The Definition of Fasting in the Christian Faith
Fasting is the act of going without eating or drinking for a designated period. Yes, sometimes even both!
Religiously, this spiritual discipline is done with the intention of seeking God. To sacrifice food is to make room to grow closer to the Holy Spirit!
In more modern times, many people give up things such as social media, watching television, or other daily activities. For Christians, exercising self-control during a period of fasting doesn’t just mean abstaining from food, and it is not done to lose weight—although the health benefits are often an added blessing.
When we take this time of fasting, we are dedicating ourselves to seeking God, enhancing our spiritual life, and growing our self-control.
But in the Bible, there are specific instructions given for fasting in certain circumstances. So, what is fasting in this Biblical context?
Fasting in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to remember His great works and express reliance on Him.
However, these times of abstaining from food were not always for positive reasons. Often, all the Jews would fast out of grief or prayer for God to change their circumstances.
- Moses: Fasted 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Commandments.
- Ezra: Proclaimed a fast for protection and humility.
- Nehemiah: Fasted out of grief and mourning for Jerusalem.
The first fast mentioned in the Bible was done by Moses. Moses fasted in God’s presence on Mount Sinai as he received the Ten Commandments. His complete fast, with no bread or water, was a forty-day fast, during which he wrote all the instructions God gave him for the Israelites. When he returned, his face was so radiant from the time with God that he had to cover it!
I can’t imagine going that long without food or drink! His dedication of time to the Lord was astounding.
In the book of Ezra, the author writes, “I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.” Here, fasting enabled them to dedicate themselves to prayer and request safety from God, which He granted them.
Fasting is a way God allows us to communicate with Him. Nehemiah fasted not for his desires, but out of mourning after hearing bad news of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah’s grief expressed through fasting reminds us that God is always listening to us, and even in dark times, we can remember the incredible works he has done. After Nehemiah fasted, he reflected greatly on God’s covenant and relationship with His people, showing just one of the benefits of fasting. And He has done so many amazing things for us!
The Daniel Fast: A Specific Guide
One of the most well-known fasts of the Bible is found in the Book of Daniel.
Daniel 1:12-13 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Let’s dive into what the Daniel Fast is and explore the wealth of knowledge Daniel’s story offers.
Daniel was enlisted by the King of Babylon to work in his service, but this caused an issue for Daniel:
Daniel had been assigned certain foods by the king, but not wanting to displease God, he found it in his heart that he should request not to eat these foods.
Now the official working with Daniel was concerned; this would raise health concerns and make him unfit to serve the king as he had been selected to do. Nonetheless–and according to God’s great plan!–Daniel was given permission to do what was a partial fast for ten days, testing whether there would be a negative effect.
Daniel’s first fast consisted of only water and vegetables for ten whole days! I find this to be an incredible feat. And to do so in such a high-pressure situation? Truly, something only God could design.
The Daniel Fast, a popular method for Christian fasting, is based on Daniel 10:3, which says, “I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”
In this situation, Daniel dedicated himself to a partial fast and a time of prayer due to the impending war. Nowadays, when we follow this fast, we do it for many reasons, but mostly as a way of desiring God above food. This time of prayer can be incredible and offer a truly amazing chance to build a deeper relationship with God!
What Foods Can You Eat on the Daniel Fast?
This is a partial fast involving strict plant-based eating.
- Foods to Eat: Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, healthy oils, and whole grains.
- Foods to Avoid: Meat, dairy, sugar, processed foods, and wine.
Find Daniel Fast recipes here!
This time of Biblical fasting—done for 21 days—is a chance to seek God’s presence and deepen our ability to listen to the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It may seem difficult, but you can do it! For some encouragement and guidance on the Daniel Fast, you can buy a copy of The Daniel Fast and even find an entire course for The 21-Day Daniel Fast!
If you prefer a video format, here is one on How to Do the Daniel Fast.
What Did Jesus Say About Fasting?
In Matthew 4, Jesus Himself fasted for 40 days, using scripture to overcome temptation. Later, in the Sermon on the Mount, He gave specific instructions on how to fast.
Matthew 6:16-18: “When you fast, don’t make yourselves look sad like the hypocrites… wash your face and make yourself look nice. Then no one will know you are fasting, except your Father.”.
While the instructions Jesus provided on fasting are not a long list, they are very important to Christian fasting.
From what we read in the Bible, fasting had become an important practice to the Jews, but it quickly started to not follow the true meaning for the practice of regular fasting, something we find in Isaiah on how the Jews fasted for the wrong reasons and with the wrong actions.
In the New Testament, Jesus recognized what fasting had become. The verses in Matthew 6 are a call to the people He spoke to—and to us today—to let fasting be a time of prayer and seeking God. This test of self denial is not to look good in front of the people around, it is to grow our relationship with God.
How to Fast: Practical Tips for Christians
The most important thing to remember is that fasting is not about the food—it’s about seeking God.
Here are some ways we can fast:
- Absolute Fast: No food or water (short duration only).
- Normal Fast: No food, only water.
- Partial Fast: Giving up specific items (like sugar or social media).
Meditation, prayer, worship—fasting is given to us as an opportunity to spend more time on these things, rather than worrying about our earthly needs and desires.
Other mentions of fasting in the New Testament include the apostles, who fasted in prayer and worship in Acts 13:3 and 14:23. Not much is said about these fasts, but we know from the examples of Jesus and the apostles that fasting can be highly beneficial to our relationship with God and our prayer lives.
Many times throughout church history, we can see the tradition of fasting passed down to other leaders, and ultimately leading to us, today!
With all of these scriptures and commandments in mind, knowing where to start may seem a little overwhelming. Especially because there is no such thing as a normal fast in this case. But, luckily, our God is great, and it’s simpler than it seems!
Biblical fasting is dedicating this part of our life as a sacrifice for God!
Whether that means having only one meal in the evenings, abstaining from food entirely, or just giving up sugar, we should be encouraged in fasting from the spiritual life it enables us to live out.
God wants to have a strong relationship with us, and He wants us to meet Him in prayer. Fasting can play a vital role in this. We only have to decide when and how we’ll let it.
When is the Best Time to Fast?
The quick answer is: anytime you feel a spiritual need! However, many Christians choose to participate in fasting during Lent (the 40 days before Easter) to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice.
Anytime can be a fasting period, just as long as you set out with strong intention to seek God’s presence. During this dedicated time, any of the various forms of fasting can be utilized–it’s whatever works best in the context of your life.
Whether an absolute fast, or food only, or you give up something else, ask yourself: “What should I give up to best benefit my spiritual life?” Remember, this is all about communication with God!
The Benefits of Christian Fasting
We’ve talked quite a bit about the spiritual benefits of fasting, but here’s a list of (some) of the benefits overall. (And you can find more on the Benefits of Christian Fasting here.)
Physical Benefits:
- Aids digestive system
- Helps lower blood sugar
- Boosts the immune system
Spiritual Benefits:
- Exercises self-denial
- Enhances communication with God
- Renews and refreshes your mind
Frequently Asked Questions About Biblical Fasting
Q: Can I drink water while fasting?
A: Yes. In most Biblical fasts, including the Daniel Fast and standard spiritual fasts, water is encouraged. Our bodies need hydration to function. The only exception is an “absolute fast” (no food or water), like the one Moses or Paul did, but this should only be done for very short periods and with extreme caution and medical guidance.
Q: How long should a Christian fast last?
A: There is no mandatory length in the Bible. A fast can last for one meal, one day (sunrise to sundown), three days, or even 40 days. If you are a beginner, we recommend starting with a 24-hour fast or skipping one meal a day to focus on prayer.
Q: What is the difference between dieting and fasting?
A: The difference is the intention. Dieting is focused on physical health and weight loss. Biblical fasting is focused on spiritual health and relying on God. While fasting may have health benefits, the primary goal is to feast on the Word of God rather than food.
Q: What if I break my fast early by mistake?
A: God looks at the heart, not just the rule following. If you accidentally eat something or feel too ill to continue, do not be discouraged. Use the moment to pray for strength and grace. You can simply resume the fast or try again another time.
Q: What foods are allowed on the Daniel Fast?
A: The Daniel Fast is a plant-based partial fast. You eat only foods grown from the seed. This includes all fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. You avoid meat, dairy, sugar, processed foods, and leavened bread.
Q: Should I tell people I am fasting?
A: Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6 not to fast “to be seen by others.” While you may need to tell your spouse or the person preparing your meals, the goal is to be humble and keep the fast between you and God as much as possible, rather than using it to appear “spiritual” to others.
Embracing the Practice of Christian Fasting Today
Christian fasting is a powerful way to grow your relationship with God. Whether you choose a Daniel Fast or a simple day of prayer, the goal is to feast on the Word of God while abstaining from the food of the world.
With both spiritual and physical benefits, there are many reasons to practice Biblical fasting. When we fast, we are opening our hearts and minds to hear from our amazing God! And we can see the positive effects spiritually and physically.
Not only is fasting a good practice to have for spiritual development, along with prayer and reading our Bible, it allows us to explore how food makes our body feel and how we have the strength to do things we may not have thought before.
There are also many ways you can fast, some of which, like the Daniel Fast, have quick guidelines and many resources online. Whether you decide to do a day-long fast or a fast that lasts multiple weeks, there is plenty of guidance to be found. We want to make sure we’re staying healthy while dedicating ourselves to God in fasting!
The best time to start a fast is when you feel called to. Spend time in prayer, and seek how God would have you participate in fasting today!
To get started, here is a course on Biblical Christian Fasting.
May God bless your fasts and your prayers!
