15 Unique Bible Facts about Fasting with verse and Description
Table of Contents
15 Unique Bible Facts about Fasting
- Fasting was first mentioned in the Bible in the book of Judges (Judges 20:26). This verse states that the Israelites “went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin, and spread themselves out in the field to fight against the people of Israel.” This is the first mention of fasting as a way of preparing for battle.
- Fasting is mentioned in the Old Testament more than 70 times.
- Fasting was an important part of worship and was often done in connection with prayer (2 Samuel 12:16).
- Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).
- Fasting is a way of expressing sorrow, repentance and humility before God (2 Samuel 12:16; Jonah 3:5-7).
- The Book of Daniel speaks of three separate fasts—one of 21 days, another of 30 days and a third of 40 days (Daniel 10:2-3).
- The prophet Isaiah mentions fasting as a way of demonstrating repentance (Isaiah 58:3-7).
- The prophet Joel said that when people fasted, God heard their prayers (Joel 2:12-17).
- Fasting is an act of self-denial, which is an important Christian principle (Matthew 16:24).
- Fasting was a way of demonstrating grief and mourning (2 Samuel 12:16; Isaiah 58:5).
- Fasting was sometimes done as a way of seeking God’s guidance (1 Samuel 7:6).
- Jesus taught that fasting should be done in secret and not done to be seen by others (Matthew 6:16-18).
- The apostle Paul praised the practice of fasting and said it should be done with prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5).
- Fasting was a way of demonstrating commitment to a covenant (Nehemiah 9:1-3; 10:29-30).
- Fasting was a way of expressing trust in God and dependence on Him (Psalm 69:10; Isaiah 58:9-12).
