What Does the Bible Say About Fasting and Prayer?
What Does the Bible Say About Fasting and Prayer? Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food to focus on prayer and seeking God's will.
Key verse: Matthew 6:17-18 (KJV)
Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food to focus on prayer and seeking God's will.
Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food to focus on prayer and seeking God's will.
"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." — Matthew 6:17-18 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Fasting appears throughout Scripture. Moses fasted 40 days on Sinai, Esther called a fast before approaching the king, and Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus taught His disciples to fast privately, not for show (Matthew 6:16-18). The early church fasted when making important decisions (Acts 13:2-3). Fasting expresses dependence on God and often accompanies urgent prayer.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?
Biblical teaching on fasting — why, when, and how to fast according to Scripture.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"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."
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What does the Bible say about prayer?
The Bible teaches that prayer is direct communication with God — a privilege for all believers — and should be persistent, humble, faith-filled, and aligned with God's will.
What Is the Lord's Prayer?
The Lord's Prayer is the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples, covering worship, submission to God's will, daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil.
What Is the Meaning of Baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith — a public declaration of identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
How Should We Pray According to the Bible?
The Bible teaches that prayer is direct communication with God — honest, reverent, and grounded in faith.
Does God Answer Prayer?
Yes — the Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people, though not always in the way or timing we expect.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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Bible Verses About Fasting
10 curated KJV verses
Prayer as Spiritual Warfare
Prayer is not preparation for the battle — it is the battle. The believer's chie
Fasting as Spiritual Warfare
Fasting humbles the body and sharpens prayer — Jesus said some battles go out on
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Fasting and Prayer?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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