People who Fasted in the Bible

People who Fasted in the Bible

Fasting is abstaining from something, usually food, for a certain period of time in order to accomplish a specific purpose.  In Hebrew, the word fast means “to cover one’s mouth.” We cover our mouths so we can hear from God. In Greek, it means to abstain from something, normally food.  There are various types of fast, but the purpose of a Biblical fast is to obtain a spiritual benefit. Below are men and women in the bible who participated in a fast.

1. fasted for God to change his plans.   

II Samuel 12:16, 17

David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. 17 The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused.      

2. fasted in repentance.

I Kings 21:25-27

No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. 26 His worst outrage was worshiping idols… 27 But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning.

3. fasted for confession and direction.  

Nehemiah 1:2-4

Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

4. fasted for an important decision.                          

Esther 4:15, 16

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 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.             

5. fasted on behalf of God’s people

Daniel 9:2-4

In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.  4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

6. fasted out of obedience.

Matthew 4:1, 2Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.                           

7. fasted for clarity.

Acts 10:30-32 

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.                                          

8. fasted for direction about ministry                           

Acts 13: 2, 3

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.