Fasting in the Bible

Fasting, as depicted in the Bible, is a spiritual discipline that involves abstaining from food, and sometimes drink, for a period of time to focus on prayer, repentance, and seeking God's will. It is a practice that has been observed by many biblical figures and is often associated with humility, penitence, and spiritual renewal.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, fasting is frequently associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's favor. One of the earliest mentions of fasting is found in the context of the Day of Atonement, a solemn day of repentance for the Israelites. Leviticus 16:29-31 instructs the Israelites to "afflict themselves," which has traditionally been understood to include fasting.

Fasting is also seen in the lives of individuals such as Moses, who fasted for forty days and nights on Mount Sinai as he received the Law from God (Exodus 34:28). Similarly, King David fasted as an expression of repentance and mourning, as seen in 2 Samuel 12:16-23, when he sought God's mercy for his ill child.

The prophet Joel called for a communal fast as a means of returning to the Lord: "Declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD" (Joel 1:14).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, fasting continues to be an important spiritual practice. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:2). This period of fasting was a time of preparation and spiritual strengthening.

Jesus taught about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and humility: "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

The early church also practiced fasting as a means of seeking God's guidance and empowerment. In Acts 13:2-3, the church in Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Fasting and Worship

Fasting is often closely linked with worship, as it is a means of drawing nearer to God and aligning one's heart with His purposes. Worship, in its essence, is the act of ascribing worth to God, and fasting can enhance this by removing distractions and focusing the believer's attention on spiritual matters.

Isaiah 58 provides a profound insight into the kind of fasting that pleases God. The prophet Isaiah challenges superficial fasting that is not accompanied by genuine repentance and righteous living. God declares through Isaiah: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6). This passage highlights that true fasting should lead to acts of justice, mercy, and love.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, practical fasting involves setting aside time to abstain from food or other distractions to seek God more earnestly. It is a personal and voluntary act of worship that can be done individually or corporately. Fasting should be accompanied by prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a heart open to the Holy Spirit's leading.

While the Bible does not prescribe specific rules for fasting, it encourages believers to approach it with sincerity, humility, and a desire for spiritual growth. Fasting is not a means to earn God's favor but a way to deepen one's relationship with Him and align one's life with His will.