Types of Fasting in the Bible: How They Can Strengthen Your Faith

Fasting in the biblical context served as a spiritual discipline for guidance, mercy, and repentance. Various types of fasting in the Bible—including absolute, normal, and group fasting—were practiced to express devotion and reliance on God. It was crucial for seeking God’s direction, demonstrating humility, and fostering a deeper faith. 

Let’s delve into some excerpts from scripture and explore the role that fasting has played in deepening one’s faith and seeking divine intervention. 

Note: The Bible verse excerpts mentioned in this blog are from the New International Version (NIV).

Absolute Fasting

Absolute fasting, also known as dry fasting, consists of abstaining from food and water and is practiced worldwide across multiple cultures as a religious tradition. The effects of absolute fasting on the mind and body are believed to offer profound spiritual benefits. Explore how fasting apps like Fastic can support your absolute fasting journey by helping stay motivated through long fasting periods.

Examples of Absolute Fasting in the Bible

The following excerpts illustrate how absolute fasting was employed to express complete devotion and trust in God.

Moses on Mount Sinai 

“So Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”—Exodus 34:28 (NIV)

Moses engages in an absolute fast during his time in Mount Sinai, where he goes forty days and forty nights without eating or drinking while writing the Ten Commandments. Moses’ fast is interpreted as an example of spiritual devotion and surrender, where he fully relied on God for physical and spiritual sustenance. 

Esther’s Call to Collective Fasting

“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 4:16 (NIV)

Queen Esther calls for an absolute three-day fast among the Jews in Susa. This intense fasting signifies their urgent plea for divine intervention as Esther prepares to approach King Xerxes, risking her life to save her people from destruction, where their collective fasting emphasizes reliance on God for strength and direction. 

Normal Fasting

Normal fasting generally refers to abstaining from food while still allowing water. This type of fasting is common across various religious practices and intermittent fasting protocols. You are allowed to drink calorie-free beverages such as black coffee or herbal teas, unless it’s a water-only fast.

Examples of Normal Fasting in the Bible

The following excerpts demonstrate how normal fasting was utilized to show unwavering faith in God during times of crisis.

Prophet Daniel Abstains from Choice Food

“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”—Daniel 10:2-3 (NIV)

Daniel undergoes a period of fasting where he abstains from “choice food”, which can be interpreted as luxurious food; this implies that he consumed simpler types of food and water. While the passage does not mention specific fasting and eating times, Daniel’s commitment can be interpreted as intermittent fasting intended for prayer and spiritual reflection.

Prophet Daniel’s Commitment to Faith

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.”—Daniel 1:12 (NIV)

While taken captive from Jerusalem, Daniel proposes a diet of only vegetables and water instead of the king’s rich food and wine. This can be seen as the deliberate act of abstaining from certain foods over a specific period to remain faithful to their beliefs and commitment to God. 

Group Fasting

A group fast refers to a fasting practice undertaken collectively, usually with a shared purpose or spiritual goal. In Christianity, groups might fast during Lent, and in Islam, communal fasting occurs during Ramadan, where the fast is broken simultaneously at sunset. 

Examples of Group Fasting in the Bible

The following excerpts depict how group fasting was used to show repentance and a sincere desire to turn away from their evil ways.

Nineveh’s Repentance

“The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.”—Jonah 3:5 (NIV)

“This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.”—Jonah 3:7 (NIV)

The city of Nineveh fasted as a demonstration of repentance and a plea for mercy from God, even including animals to emphasize the seriousness of their plea. This collective act showcases that fasting is not merely an individual practice; rather, it can serve as a powerful collective response to a spiritual crisis.

King Jehoshaphat Proclaims a Fast

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.”—2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (NIV)

King Jehoshaphat faced military threat from a coalition of enemies and called for a collective fast to seek God’s guidance and intervention. This communal fast was an act of seeking God’s help and dependence in challenging times, where the people demonstrated their faith, trusting that God would deliver them from their adversaries. 

Various types of fasting in the Bible serve unique spiritual purposes and continue to influence modern faith. These timeless practices draw us closer to God, providing valuable opportunities for reflection and renewal in our faith journeys. Download the Fastic app to discover the transformative power of fasting—a tool designed to guide you on your spiritual journey with God through personalized expert advice. 

Disclaimer: It is advised to speak with a health professional before beginning intermittent fasting or a diet program. There may be side effects for people with certain medical conditions.