The Blessing of Fasting

What is Fasting and Why Should We Do It?

The Bible presents fasting as a practice believers should seriously consider, but what exactly is it and why should we do it?

Donald Whitney, in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, says simply, “Christian fasting is a believer’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.” Fasting can help us draw nearer to God because our focus is not on us but on Him. While fasting, every pang of hunger can be used as an opportunity to focus one’s heart and mind on the Lord and to pray. In his workbook, Understanding the Discipline of Fasting, Paul Washer writes, “fasting is a result of a passion, desire, or need that drives out all others—including, at times, the necessity and delight of food and other temporal pleasures.” While fasting can be a discipline of omitting necessities or pleasures, our focus will specifically be on abstinence from food.

Biblical Survey of Fasting

To discover the different purposes of fasting, we need to turn to both the Old and New Testaments.  One purpose of fasting in the Bible is to seek God’s protection or deliverance. For example, Esther calls for a corporate fast to deliver the Jews from Haman’s plot to exterminate them in Esther 4:16. She says to Mordecai, “‘Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go into the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.’” 

Another reason to fast is to avert God’s judgment. In Jonah 3:9-10, the king of Nineveh orders the Ninevites to partake in an absolute fast to turn away from wickedness and not perish: “‘But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.’” This is another example of a corporate fast similar to what Esther called for, but with a focus on averting God’s anger. 

There is also fasting for the confession and repentance of sin. Samuel gathers Israel, a nation who had been worshipping idols instead of God for twenty years, to corporately fast and pray in 1 Samuel 7:5-6. This fast of confession and repentance requires humility. Even wicked King Ahab was commended by God for humbling himself and fasting before the Lord (1 Kings 21:27-29). However, it must be said that fasting does not bring humility, rather it is an expression of it. We can understand this when we look at the contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee prays in the temple, boasting publicly how he is not like the tax collector, bragging about his twice-a-week fasts and generous tithing. Meanwhile, the tax collector hangs his head and beats his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” To this, Jesus responds, “‘I tell you, this man (tax collector) went to his house justified rather than the other (Pharisee); for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted,’” (Luke 18:13-14). In Fasting: A Neglected Discipline, David Smith writes, “We must not conclude that the act of fasting has some virtuous power, and that we have made ourselves more humble; there is no virtue in fallen man by which he can make himself more godly; there is, however, virtue in the divinely appointed means of grace. If we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body (through fasting), we shall grow in grace, but the glory of such change will be God’s alone.”

Another purpose for fasting is that of expressing grief or mourning. As David and his men mourn the death of Saul and his sons in battle, 2 Samuel 1:11-12 says “Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did the men who were with him. They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” 

One of the most common purposes for fasting is to seek God’s will, guidance, answers or help. We see many examples of this in Scripture. In Judges 20:26, the Israelites fast and inquire of the Lord if they should go up against the tribe of Benjamin again. In verse 28, God says, “‘Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.’” God directly answers the Israelites when they seek His will as they fast for His answers. Even our Savior fasted while seeking help from His Father. In Matthew 4:1-2, Jesus fasts while being tempted by Satan for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. In Acts 14:2, Paul and Barnabas fast and pray when appointing elders in the churches. As a church, we can fast for the advancement of God’s kingdom here on earth. 

Lastly, fasting can express worship and devotion to the Lord. Anna the prophetess’ life centers on worshiping and serving the Lord as she fasts and prays every day in the temple (Luke 2:36-37). King David also weeps and fasts over his zeal for the Lord’s house in Psalm 69:9-10. As Whitney states, “Fasting can be an expression of finding your greatest pleasure and enjoyment in life from God.”5 By fasting, we are showing God that He is more important than food and the pleasures that come from eating. 

As was said in the beginning, fasting is not something that God requires of you; you are not commanded to fast. However, it seems from Scripture that we are expected to fast as Jesus says, “When you fast…” While fasting is not one of the commanded ordinances like the Lord’s Supper or Baptism, it is something many of us should consider because it is well demonstrated throughout the whole of Scripture.

Paul Washer questions, “Are we so satisfied with this world and its temporal pleasures that we never long for God or ache for a greater measure of His presence? Are we so satisfied with our spiritual status quo that we have no zeal for greater conformity to the will of God and the image of Christ? Are we so apathetic to the needs and sufferings of others that we are never driven to passionate intercession for them?...[A]re we not in danger when our passion for God's glory, our desire for greater sanctification, and our concern for the needs of others rarely overpower our desires for food and temporal entertainments?” 

An Opportunity to Fast as We Prepare for the Resurrection

As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, consider fasting for the purposes of meditating on the truths of the Resurrection, seeking the Lord, growing close to Him, or discovering His will. Perhaps you will focus on confession and repentance, or for help in avoiding temptation. Maybe you will seek guidance and direction from the Lord. You might choose to fast simply as an act of worship.

If you do choose to fast, know that this commitment is between you and the Lord. No one else needs to know about it. You will not be asked by the leadership if you are fasting, and we don’t recommend asking others if they are fasting. No one should be made to feel guilty if, for whatever reason, the person chooses not to fast. Some of you cannot fast for medical reasons. If you have any concern about this, please consult your doctor to see if fasting is okay for you.

Festival of the Resurrection Events

Along with fasting, this year’s Festival of the Resurrection also includes special Thursday prayer nights and Friday lunches. We’ve organized our weekly events to help you in the fast. If you choose, you can spend time with us in corporate prayer and then break the fast with us at Friday’s lunch. We’ve provided more information about the Festival of the Resurrection here.

Cited Works

1 Whitney, D. S. (2014). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Revised and Updated, p. 192). NavPress; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., p. 160.

2 Washer, Paul David. Understanding the Discipline of Fasting (2021). HeartCry Missionary Society., p. 12.

3 David R. Smith, Fasting: A Neglected Discipline (Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1954; American ed., 1969), 46–47.  Quoted in Whitney’s SDCL, p. 210.

4 Washer, Paul David. Understanding the Discipline of Fasting, p. 14.

Additional Calvary Bible Church Resources

The Blessing of Fasting Sermon by Pastor Jay Underwood on March 3, 2024

A Season of Prayer & Fasting Short Article Preparing our Hearts for Fasting, March 6, 2024