What Is Fasting in the Bible?

Fasting appears throughout Scripture as a spiritual discipline practiced by God's people in both Old and New Testaments. It involves voluntarily abstaining from food (and sometimes drink) for a period of time to devote oneself more fully to prayer and seeking God. Moses fasted forty days on Mount Sinai, Elijah fasted forty days on his journey to Horeb, and Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry. Esther called for a three-day fast before approaching the king. The early church fasted before sending out Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. Jesus taught fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, instructing His disciples: 'When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance' — assuming they would fast, not if they would fast. The purpose of fasting is not to manipulate God or earn His favor, but to humble the soul, sharpen spiritual perception, break the power of sinful habits, and demonstrate earnestness in prayer. Fasting weakens the flesh so the spirit can be strengthened. It is often combined with prayer, as when the church at Antioch 'ministered to the Lord, and fasted' before making important decisions. Different types include the normal fast (abstaining from all food), the partial fast (restricting certain foods, as Daniel did), and the absolute fast (abstaining from both food and water for a short period). Fasting should be undertaken with wisdom, prayer, and proper physical care, always with the goal of deeper communion with God.