Christian Fasting: A Beginner's Guide to Biblical Fasting

Published 2026-10-21

Christian fasting is voluntarily going without food (or another normal comfort) for a set time in order to focus on God in prayer. It isn't a diet, a way to earn God's favour or a way to twist His arm. It's a way of saying with your whole body: "I want You more than this."

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.

Matthew 6:17–18

Notice Jesus said when you fast, not if (Matthew 6:16–18). He assumed His followers would fast, as He did Himself (Matthew 4:1–4).

Why Christians fast

• To seek God with focus. Each hunger pang becomes a reminder to pray. Jesus said, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
• To humble ourselves and repent. Israel fasted in repentance (Joel 2:12–13), and so did the city of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5–10).
• To seek guidance. The church in Antioch was worshipping and fasting when the Spirit sent out Barnabas and Saul, and they prayed and fasted again before sending them (Acts 13:2–3).
• To pray for a pressing need. Esther and her people fasted before she risked her life for them (Esther 4:16). Ezra fasted and prayed for protection on a dangerous journey (Ezra 8:21–23).
• To pursue justice and mercy. God says the fast He chooses includes loosing chains of injustice and sharing food with the hungry (Isaiah 58:6–7).

Types of fasts in the Bible

• A normal fast: no food, water only. Jesus fasted forty days and "was hungry" afterwards (Matthew 4:2), implying He went without food.
• A partial fast: limiting certain foods. Daniel ate only vegetables and water for a season (Daniel 1:12), and later gave up "choice food" for three weeks (Daniel 10:2–3). This is often called a "Daniel fast".
• An absolute fast: no food or water, which Scripture records only for short, exceptional times (Esther 4:16). Do not attempt one without medical guidance.
• A non-food fast: setting aside something else that fills your time, such as social media, TV or entertainment, to give that time to God. Paul mentions couples agreeing to set aside time for prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5).

How to start fasting

• Decide your purpose. Write down why you're fasting and what you're praying about.
• Start small. Skip one meal and spend that time in prayer. Then try a sunrise-to-sunset fast, or one day a week, before anything longer.
• Choose the kind of fast that's wise for your health and responsibilities.
• Plan your time. Replace meal times with Scripture and prayer, or you'll just be hungry.
• Stay hydrated during a food fast, and break it gently with small, simple meals.
• Keep it quiet. Jesus warned against fasting to impress people. Tell only those who need to know.

What to do while you fast

• Read Scripture: Isaiah 58, Matthew 6, Psalm 63 ("my whole being longs for you") and the Gospels are good places to start.
• Pray specifically about what you're fasting for, and turn hunger into prayer: "Lord, I want You more than food." (See how to pray when you don't know what to say.)
• Listen. Make space for quiet and write down what you sense God saying, then test it against Scripture (how to hear God's voice).
• Give. Consider giving what you would have spent on food to someone in need, as Isaiah 58 describes.
• Fast with others when you can. Churches and prayer movements often call shared seasons of prayer and fasting, like God Heal Our Land's call to seek God for Canada.

Common mistakes

• Treating it as a hunger strike to force God's hand. Fasting changes us; it doesn't manipulate Him.
• Fasting without praying. Without prayer, it's just skipping meals.
• Making it about willpower or weight loss. The goal is God, not a number.
• Going too long, too soon, or ignoring your health.
• Judging others who fast differently, or announcing your fast.