Fasting has become increasingly popular for health benefits, weight management, and metabolic improvement, but its roots run much deeper than modern wellness trends. Throughout Scripture, fasting is presented as a powerful spiritual discipline that creates space for deeper communion with God, heightened spiritual awareness, and breakthroughs in prayer. Whether you’re practicing intermittent fasting primarily for physical benefits or incorporating it as a spiritual discipline, understanding the biblical foundation can transform your approach.
Intermittent fasting naturally aligns with biblical patterns of abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. The physical act of saying no to immediate desires mirrors the spiritual discipline of denying ourselves to follow Christ. When we voluntarily limit our food intake, we’re reminded of our dependence on God for sustenance and our need for spiritual nourishment that transcends physical hunger.
These verses explore fasting as both a spiritual discipline and a physical stewardship. Scripture shows us that voluntary abstinence from food can deepen prayer, increase spiritual sensitivity, and demonstrate our hunger for God above earthly satisfaction. Whether your fasting serves health goals or spiritual growth, these biblical truths can enrich your understanding of this ancient practice and its role in Christian discipleship.
Bible Verses About Intermittent Fasting and Spiritual Discipline
1. Matthew 6:16-17 – When You Fast
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Joel 2:12 – Return to Me with All Your Heart
Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Matthew 4:2 – After Fasting Forty Days and Forty Nights
For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4. Acts 13:2-3 – While They Were Worshiping and Fasting
As 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.” Then after fasting and praying, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5. Daniel 10:3 – I Ate No Choice Food
I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6. Ezra 8:21 – I Proclaimed a Fast
Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
New King James Version (NKJV)
7. 1 Corinthians 9:27 – I Discipline My Body
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Nehemiah 1:4 – I Mourned and Fasted and Prayed
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Matthew 17:21 – This Kind Does Not Go Out Except by Prayer and Fasting
You corrupt generation! How long do I have to put up with you? How long do I have to hold your hand? Bring the boy here.” He ordered the afflicting demon out—and it was out, gone. From that moment on the boy was well. But Jesus’ followers asked, “Why couldn’t we throw it out?” “Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There’s nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”
The Message (MSG)
10. Isaiah 58:6 – Is This Not the Fast That I Have Chosen?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Luke 2:37 – She Never Left the Temple but Worshiped Night and Day
She had been a widow now for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
New English Translation (NET)
12. 2 Chronicles 20:3 – Jehoshaphat Resolved to Inquire of the Lord
Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Judges 20:26 – All the Israelites Went Up to Bethel and Wept
All of them went to the place of worship at Bethel and sat on the ground, crying and not eating anything until evening.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. 1 Samuel 7:6 – They Fasted That Day and Said We Have Sinned
So they gathered at Mizpah. They drew some water and poured it out as an offering to the Lord; they fasted that whole day and said, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Esther 4:16 – Go, Gather All the Jews and Fast for Me
Go and get all the Jewish people in Susa together. For my sake, give up eating. Do not eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will also give up eating. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I die, I die.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Acts 14:23 – Paul and Barnabas Appointed Elders with Prayer and Fasting
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Matthew 9:15 – The Time Will Come When the Bridegroom Will Be Taken Away
Then the disciples of John will fast, when the bridegroom is taken away from them.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Luke 18:12 – I Fast Twice a Week
I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of all that I get.
World English Bible (WEB)
19. Psalm 35:13 – When They Were Sick, I Put on Sackcloth
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20. 1 Kings 21:27 – When Ahab Heard Those Words
And when Ahab heard these words, he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
21. Jonah 3:5 – The Ninevites Believed God
The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
New American Bible (NAB)
22. Daniel 9:3 – I Set My Face to the Lord God
And I turned to the Lord God, to seek him by prayer, and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
23. Acts 27:9 – Much Time Had Been Lost and Sailing Was Now Dangerous
And when much time was spent, and sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them.
English Revised Version (ERV)
24. Leviticus 16:29-31 – This Shall Be a Statute Forever for You
And it hath been to you for a statute age-during, in the seventh month, in the tenth of the month, ye humble your souls, and do no work — the native, and the sojourner who is sojourning in your midst.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
25. 2 Samuel 12:16 – David Pleaded with God for the Child
And David besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
26. Mark 9:29 – This Kind Can Come Out by Nothing but Prayer and Fasting
And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out except by prayer and fasting.”
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
27. Psalm 109:24 – My Knees Are Weak Through Fasting
Mi knees ben maad feble of fastyng; and my fleische was chaungid for oile.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
28. 1 Samuel 31:13 – They Took Their Bones and Buried Them
And they tooke their bones and buried them vnder a tree at Iabesh, and fasted seuen dayes.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
29. Zechariah 8:19 – The Fast of the Fourth Month
Thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, The fast of the fourth moneth, and the fast of the fift, and the fast of the seuenth, and the fast of the tenth, shalbe to the house of Iudah ioy & gladnes, and prosperous hye feastes: therefore loue the trueth and peace.
Bishop’s Bible
30. Isaiah 58:3 – Why Have We Fasted and You Have Not Seen?
Wherfore fast we, and thou seyst not? we put oure lyues to payne, and thou regardest it not.
Tyndale Bible
31. Matthew 6:18 – So That Your Fasting May Be Seen Not by Others
Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father who knows your secrets. And your Father who sees everything will reward you.
The Living Bible (TLB)
32. Luke 5:35 – But the Time Will Come When the Bridegroom Will Be Taken Away
But someday the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
33. Acts 10:30 – Four Days Ago I Was in My House Praying
Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was in my house praying when a man in bright clothing suddenly appeared before me.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
34. 1 Corinthians 7:5 – Do Not Deprive Each Other
You should not stop giving yourselves to each other. But you might both agree to stay away from each other for a time. You might want to give your time to prayer. Then come together again. If you don’t, Satan might tempt you when you can’t control yourselves.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
35. Galatians 5:23 – Against Such Things There Is No Law
But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Intermittent Fasting and Spiritual Discipline
Scripture presents fasting as a powerful tool for spiritual breakthrough, physical discipline, and deeper communion with God. The Bible shows fasting not as a religious performance but as a voluntary abstinence that creates space for prayer, increases spiritual sensitivity, and demonstrates our hunger for God above physical satisfaction. Biblical fasting is often accompanied by times of seeking God’s direction, mourning, repentance, or intercession for others.
What strikes me about biblical fasting is its integration of physical and spiritual discipline. When we voluntarily limit food intake, whether for health or spiritual reasons, we’re practicing the same self-control that strengthens our ability to resist other temptations and align our desires with God’s will. Intermittent fasting can serve as a modern spiritual discipline that mirrors ancient practices while offering contemporary health benefits.
The Bible also emphasizes fasting’s heart motivation over its external practice. Jesus criticized fasting done for religious show while affirming its value when done with proper motives. Whether we fast primarily for physical benefits or spiritual growth, Scripture calls us to approach voluntary abstinence with humility, focusing on God rather than drawing attention to our discipline. This ancient practice remains relevant for those seeking both physical wellness and spiritual depth.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, as I practice intermittent fasting, help me to see this discipline as more than just a health strategy but as an opportunity to grow in spiritual maturity and dependence on You. When hunger reminds me of my physical needs, let it also remind me of my deeper hunger for Your presence and Your Word.
Teach me to use fasting times for prayer, reflection, and spiritual disciplines rather than simply enduring hunger. Help me to remember that You are my ultimate sustenance and that bread alone cannot satisfy the deeper longings of my heart. When I’m tempted to break my fast impulsively, give me the self-control to honor my commitments and use that moment to turn to You in prayer.
Guard my heart against pride in my fasting discipline, and help me to fast with humility and proper motives. Let this practice increase my compassion for those who go without food involuntarily and motivate me to be generous toward those in need. Use my fasting to break unhealthy attachments to food and to develop greater spiritual sensitivity.
Whether I’m fasting for health benefits, spiritual breakthrough, or both, help me to honor You in this discipline. Let my temporary abstinence from food create lasting changes in my relationship with You and my ability to exercise self-control in all areas of life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.