What are some biblical examples of fasting?

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by believers throughout biblical history. Rooted in a desire to draw nearer to God, fasting involves abstaining from food, and sometimes drink, for a period of time to focus on prayer, repentance, and seeking God’s will. The Bible provides numerous examples of fasting, demonstrating its significance and impact in various contexts. As a non-denominational Christian pastor, I would like to explore some of these biblical examples to illustrate the depth and breadth of fasting as a spiritual practice.

One of the earliest and most significant examples of fasting in the Bible is that of Moses. In Exodus 34:28, we read that Moses fasted for forty days and forty nights while he was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God. During this time, he neither ate bread nor drank water. This period of fasting was marked by intense communion with God and culminated in Moses receiving the Law, which would guide the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God. Moses' fast exemplifies the seriousness and dedication required to seek God’s presence and guidance.

Another profound example is that of King David. In 2 Samuel 12:16, David fasted and prayed fervently for the life of his sick child, born from his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. David’s fast was an expression of his deep repentance and sorrow for his sins. Although the child ultimately died, David’s response to the situation demonstrates the role of fasting in seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness. David’s humility and willingness to submit to God’s will, even in the face of personal tragedy, underscore the transformative power of fasting in aligning one’s heart with God’s purposes.

The prophet Elijah also fasted during a critical moment in his ministry. In 1 Kings 19:8, after a great spiritual victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel’s wrath and journeyed to Mount Horeb. Strengthened by food provided by an angel, Elijah fasted for forty days and nights as he traveled to the mountain of God. This period of fasting and solitude allowed Elijah to encounter God in a still, small voice, reaffirming his calling and mission. Elijah’s experience highlights how fasting can be a means of spiritual renewal and receiving divine direction.

The story of Esther provides another compelling example of fasting. Faced with the imminent threat of annihilation of the Jewish people, Queen Esther called for a three-day fast among the Jews in Susa. In Esther 4:16, she instructed, “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.” Esther’s fast was a united act of intercession and petition for God’s intervention. The outcome was a miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people, demonstrating the power of collective fasting and prayer in seeking God’s protection and favor.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself set a paramount example of fasting. Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-2. During this time, He was tempted by Satan but emerged victorious, fortified in spirit and ready to fulfill His mission. Jesus’ fast underscores the importance of spiritual preparation and reliance on God’s strength. It also serves as a model for believers, showing that fasting can be a powerful tool in overcoming temptation and aligning oneself with God’s will.

The early church also practiced fasting as part of their communal life and decision-making process. In Acts 13:2-3, we read that while the church in Antioch was worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit instructed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which He had called them. In response, the church fasted and prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them off. This example shows how fasting was integral to seeking God’s guidance and commissioning leaders for ministry. Similarly, in Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in the churches they planted, with prayer and fasting, entrusting them to the Lord.

Fasting is also associated with seeking God’s intervention in times of crisis. In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh proclaimed a fast in response to Jonah’s warning of impending judgment. Jonah 3:5 states, “The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” Their collective fasting and repentance led to God relenting from the disaster He had threatened, highlighting the role of fasting in averting judgment and seeking divine mercy.

Moreover, the prophet Daniel provides an example of fasting for understanding and revelation. In Daniel 9:3, he says, “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel sought God’s wisdom and understanding concerning the future of his people. His fasting and prayer resulted in receiving significant prophetic revelations about the future of Israel and the coming of the Messiah. Daniel’s example illustrates how fasting can be a means of seeking deeper spiritual insight and revelation from God.

In addition to these specific examples, the Bible also provides general teachings on fasting. In Isaiah 58, the prophet Isaiah addresses the true nature of fasting that pleases God. He emphasizes that fasting should be accompanied by genuine repentance, humility, and acts of justice and mercy. Isaiah 58:6-7 states, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” This passage teaches that fasting is not merely a ritualistic abstention from food but should be accompanied by a sincere commitment to righteous living and compassion for others.

The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount also provide guidance on fasting. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus instructs His followers, “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, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Jesus emphasizes the importance of fasting with the right heart attitude, seeking God’s approval rather than human recognition.

In summary, the Bible provides numerous examples of fasting, each illustrating different aspects of this spiritual discipline. From Moses’ forty-day fast on Mount Sinai to Jesus’ fast in the wilderness, from Esther’s call for a communal fast to the early church’s practice of fasting in decision-making, these examples reveal the multifaceted nature of fasting. Whether seeking God’s guidance, interceding for others, expressing repentance, or preparing for ministry, fasting is a powerful means of drawing nearer to God and aligning oneself with His purposes. As believers, we can learn from these biblical examples and incorporate fasting into our spiritual lives, seeking to honor God and grow in our relationship with Him.