Bible Verses About Fasting — The Complete KJV Guide
The complete KJV guide to fasting — why, how, and for how long
Discover powerful KJV Bible verses about fasting. Scripture and devotional insights on fasting for daily encouragement.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." — John 3:16 (KJV)
Finding a meaningful verse of the day centered on fasting can transform your daily walk with God. Each morning brings a fresh opportunity to meditate on Scripture that speaks directly to the theme of fasting in your life.
The complete KJV guide to fasting — why, how, and for how long
What the Bible says about fasting
Fasting appears across both testaments as a normal part of seeking God, not an elite discipline. Moses, David, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Paul and Christ Himself all fasted. Jesus assumes the practice rather than commands it: 'when ye fast' (Matthew 6:16), not if. The KJV consistently attaches fasting to something specific — repentance, danger, guidance, grief, or the setting apart of leaders — rather than to general piety.
Fasting done in secret
Matthew 6:16-18 is the sharpest instruction on the subject: wash your face, do not look sad, and let the Father who sees in secret reward you. Isaiah 58 goes further, rejecting fasts that leave injustice untouched and defining the fast God chooses as loosing bands of wickedness and feeding the hungry. Scripture judges a fast by what it does to the heart and the neighbour, not by the hunger itself.
How Bible fasts actually looked
The lengths vary widely: a single day in Judges, three days for Esther, a partial fast of pulse and water for Daniel, forty days for Moses and Christ. Some are corporate, called over a whole city; most are private. There is no prescribed formula, which frees a beginner to start small — one meal, one day — without feeling the practice has to be heroic to count.
How to use this page
Read Matthew 6:16-18 and Isaiah 58:6-9 together before the verse list. Decide the one thing you are fasting about and write it down. Choose a realistic length — one meal or one day is a biblical start. Replace the meal time with prayer or Scripture rather than leaving it empty. Then follow the related links to prayer, repentance, humility, and spiritual growth.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
— John 3:16 (KJV)
This verse reveals God's heart concerning fasting. As you meditate on these words today, let them reshape your understanding of what it means to walk in fasting before the Lord.
Most-searched fasting verses
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Questions answered from Scripture
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Fasting
Biblical teaching on fasting — why, when, and how to fast according to Scripture
What Are the Spiritual Disciplines?
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Verses for real-life situations
During a Fast
Scriptures for spiritual nourishment and encouragement during a period of fastin
Developing a Prayer Life
Bible verses to inspire and guide a deeper, more consistent prayer life.
Before a Meal (Grace)
Scriptures about gratitude for food and God's provision—perfect for mealtime pra
Waiting on God's Timing
Scriptures for the difficult discipline of waiting on God when answers don't com
Building a Blended Family
Scriptures for stepparents and blended families seeking unity and love.
Recovering from Addiction
Scriptures for those battling addiction and seeking freedom through God's power.
Working from Home
Scriptures for discipline, purpose, and balance while working remotely.
Overcoming Procrastination
Bible verses about diligence, discipline, and defeating the habit of delay.
Verse collections & studies
Bible Verses About Fasting
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About God's Discipline
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Humility
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Repentance
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Prayer
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Obedience
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Pride
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Discipline
10 curated KJV verses
Devotionals & commentary
2 Chronicles 7:14 — Meaning & Devotional
Repentance
2 Chronicles 7:14 Commentary
In-depth study • Repentance & Revival
Psalm 51:17 Commentary
In-depth study • Repentance & Humility
Joel 2:12-13 Commentary
In-depth study • Repentance & Restoration
Matthew 7:7 — Meaning & Devotional
Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Commentary
In-depth study • Joy & Prayer
Stories, parables & teachings
The Tower of Siloam
Luke 13:1–9 • repentance
Hannah's Prayer
1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 • Kings & Prophets
Jonah Preaches to Nineveh
Jonah 3-4 • Mercy and Repentance
The Parable of the Friend at Midnight
Luke 11:8 • Prayer & Persistence
The Temptation of Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11 • Jesus' Life
Daniel in the Lions' Den
Daniel 6 • Faithfulness Under Persecution
Words, places & holidays
Fast (צוֹם (Tsom))
To abstain from food for spiritual purposes — prayer, repentance, or seeking God.
Ash Wednesday & Lent Bible Verses
KJV scriptures for Ash Wednesday, the 40 days of Lent, repentance, fasting, and
Repentance (μετάνοια (Metanoia))
A complete change of mind and direction, turning from sin to God
Humility (עֲנָוָה (anavah))
Lowliness of mind — a modest, submissive posture before God and others.
Prayer (προσευχή (proseuchē))
Communication with God — addressing Him with worship, petition, confession, and thanksgiving.
Discipline/Instruct (יָסַר (Yasar))
To discipline, instruct, correct, or chasten — training through correction.
10 Scriptures About Fasting
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."Read in context
Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."Read in context
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."Read in context
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."Read in context
John 14:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."Read in context
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."Read in context
Galatians 2:20
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."Read in context
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."Read in context
John 15:5
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."Read in context
Ephesians 6:11
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."Read in context
Reading Plans for Fasting
Go deeper with a guided KJV reading plan on fasting.
Sermon on the Mount
Jesus' most famous teaching on Kingdom living. Study the Beatitudes and more.
Bible in a Year
Read through the entire Bible in one year with daily Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs readings.
Lent: 40 Days to the Cross
Forty days of repentance, reflection and preparation for Easter, following Jesus toward Calvary.
Sermon on the Mount — Deep Dive (21 Days)
Slow-read the most famous sermon ever preached, a few verses at a time.
Part of these themed clusters
Browse every related theme on one page.
Related Themes
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Meditation on Scripture
Bible verses about meditation on scripture — KJV Scripture on the theme of meditation on scripture with devotional insights.
Worship Life
Bible verses about worship life — KJV Scripture on the theme of worship life with devotional insights.
Scripture Guides About Fasting
Explore fasting through specific life situations
Bible Verses About Fasting When Before an Exam or Test
Bible Verses About Fasting When Starting Your Day
Bible Verses About Fasting When Before a Meal (Grace)
Bible Verses About Fasting When Traveling or Going on a Trip
Bible Verses About Fasting During A Thanksgiving Gathering
Bible Verses About Fasting for Family Devotion Time
Cite this page
By Bible Sundays Editorial Team · Reviewed August 27, 2026 · How we source
All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version. You are welcome to quote or link to this page — please credit Bible Sundays.
Plain citation
Bible Sundays. "Bible Verses About Fasting — The Complete KJV Guide." Bible Sundays, last reviewed August 27, 2026. https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/fastingAPA
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