Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. There are several different types of fasting outlined in Scripture, each with unique purposes and benefits. By exploring the different forms of biblical fasting, we can gain a better understanding of how to apply this practice in our own lives.
Normal Fast
The most common type of fast is a normal fast, which typically involves abstaining from food but still drinking water. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, but the Bible notes that he became hungry afterward, indicating he was still allowing himself water (Matthew 4:2). The early church also engaged in normal fasts, going without food while continuing to drink water (Acts 9:9).
Normal fasts can last anywhere from one meal to several days or weeks. The primary purpose is to focus on prayer and sacrifice by denying yourself physical sustenance. This type of fasting humbles the flesh and creates a deeper hunger and dependency on God.
Partial Fast
A partial fast is similar to a normal fast in that you restrict your diet, but you don’t completely abstain from food. Daniel and his friends underwent a partial fast for 10 days, eating only vegetables and drinking only water (Daniel 1:12). A partial fast can involve giving up certain foods and drinks or limiting yourself to a specific eating plan.
The duration can also vary, from a single day to an extended period of time. The focus remains on restricting physical appetites in order to seek the Lord in deeper and more focused prayer. A partial fast is a great option if you require nutrition for medical reasons or struggle with intense hunger pains during extended normal fasts.
Absolute Fast
An absolute fast, or total fast, is one in which a person consumes no food or drinks at all, including water. Esther called for the Jews to participate in an absolute fast before she went before King Xerxes (Esther 4:16). This intense form of fasting was typically done for only short periods of time.
Due to health risks, medical experts warn against absolute fasts extending more than a few days. However, Scripture records Moses supernaturally enduring a 40-day absolute fast on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:9). The purpose of an absolute fast is to intensely focus one’s relationship with God through prayer, while demonstrating serious repentance and mourning.
Private Fast
A private fast is one in which you choose to fast in secret and keep it between yourself and God. Jesus emphasized that fasting should be done discreetly: “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:17-18 ESV).
The motivation for a private fast should be solely spiritual and not for the purpose of appearing righteous before others. Keeping your fast just between you and the Lord eliminates outside distraction and helps you focus exclusively on God.
Congregational Fast
In the Old Testament, Israel participated in corporate fasts called by spiritual leaders and prophets. Joel called a sacred fast and solemn assembly for the entire nation: “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord” (Joel 1:14 ESV).
Congregational fasts unite the larger community in seeking the Lord together through sacrifice and consecration. This provides spiritual support and accountability in prayer and demonstrates corporate humility and repentance.
Supernatural Fast
Supernatural fasts enabled by God are well beyond typical human abilities. Moses was supernaturally sustained by God for 40 days of fasting on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28). Similarly, Elijah was divinely empowered to fast for 40 days on his journey to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
While simply abstaining from food and water for this duration would be humanly impossible, these fasts gave God opportunity to miraculously sustain his servants. The purpose was to prepare Moses and Elijah for direct encounters with the Lord and equip them for future service.
Regular Fast
Fasting regularly can be a helpful spiritual discipline. Daniel fasted every week: “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled” (Daniel 10:2-3 NKJV).
Building regular fasting into your spiritual practices enables you to frequently sacrifice physical comforts in order to draw near to God. It fosters an ongoing attitude of humility and repentance as you deny earthly cravings to pursue heavenly focus.
Sunup to Sundown Fast
In biblical times, a full day’s fast often involved abstaining from food and drink from sunup to sundown, then eating after sunset. This is why fasting until the evening was considered a notable length of time.
For example, when Queen Esther called a three-day fast, she specified “night or day” (Esther 4:16 ESV), meaning fasting around the clock. We also see Jesus referring to fasting for set lengths of “days” (Luke 5:33-35). The sunup to sundown fast was a frequent practice, focusing meals around God’s provision when daylight turned to night.
Fast of Mourning
Fasting was often associated with mourning or grieving in the Bible. When King Saul and Jonathan died in battle, the men of Jabesh fasted for seven days (1 Samuel 31:13). David and his men mourned and wept, and fasted until evening when they heard Saul and Jonathan had been killed (2 Samuel 1:12).
Fasting carries symbolic significance in mourning the loss of life and separating oneself from daily routine during the grieving process. It expresses sorrow and mirrors the loss of appetite that often accompanies deep anguish.
Fast of Repentance
One of the most common purposes for fasting in the Bible was to express repentance and seek God’s mercy. After the spies gave a bad report about Canaan, the Israelites fasted and wept before the Lord, repenting of their lack of faith (Numbers 14:39). Ahab tore his clothes and fasted when Elijah condemned him for his sin regarding Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:27).
Fasting while repenting demonstrates humility, godly sorrow over sin, and commitment to turning away from wrongdoing. Accompanied by earnest prayer, it shows the sincerity of the heart’s contrition before God.
Fast of Sanctification
Fasting is connected to sanctification and preparedness for ministry in the Bible. Anna fasted regularly as she served the Lord day and night in the temple (Luke 2:36-37). Jesus expected his disciples would fast later in their ministry after his departure (Mark 2:20). Paul often fasted to sustain his spiritual focus (2 Corinthians 11:27).
By fasting, we sacrifice comfort and physical pleasures that could distract from single-minded devotion to God’s work. Fasting cleanses and sharpens us spiritually as we seek empowerment for ministry.
Intercessory Fast
Fasting for intercessory purposes is seen throughout the Bible. David fasted and pleaded for his dying child (2 Samuel 12:16-17). Nehemiah fasted and prayed over Jerusalem before going to ask the king’s permission to rebuild the city (Nehemiah 1:4-11). Esther urged the Jews to fast for her mission before the king (Esther 4:16).
When we fast and pray on behalf of others, we sacrifice physically to intercede before God spiritually. Combining fasting with intercession demonstrates urgent concern for those on our hearts.
Vow of Fasting
Taking a vow of fasting was a way to solemnly commit to consecrating oneself fully to the Lord over an extended period of time. The parents of Samson dedicated him as a Nazirite with a vow to abstain from wine and not cut his hair, which included fasting (Judges 13:2-7). Hannah prayed and vowed to fast while dedicating her child Samuel to lifelong service to God (1 Samuel 1:11).
Vows of fasting were serious spiritual commitments, often associated with devoting someone or something entirely for the Lord’s purposes. The sacrifice and self-denial of fasting mirrored the consecration being made.
Bridegroom Fast
Jesus used wedding imagery to describe an appropriate season for fasting as well as times when fasting would be inappropriate. He said wedding guests don’t mourn and fast when the bridegroom is present, but they will when he is taken away (Matthew 9:14-15). Fasting was viewed as incompatible with wedding joy.
In this metaphor, Jesus is the bridegroom and his disciples the wedding guests. There would come a time for fasting when Jesus returned to heaven, but during his earthly ministry they should rejoice in his presence among them.
Fast of Destruction
A unique passage describes parents fasting out of grief over judgment on their children. God told Jeremiah not to pray or fast on behalf of disobedient Judah: “As for you, do not pray for this people . . . Do not pray for the welfare of this people. Though they fast, I will not hear their cry” (Jeremiah 14:11-12 ESV).
Here fasting even in repentance could not avert the destruction set in motion against Jerusalem for its idolatry. This associating of fasting with impending doom was unusual compared to typical purposes of repentance and mourning.
In summary, the Bible outlines many different forms of fasting applicable in a variety of circumstances. While the expressions differ, all types of fasting center on willingly denying bodily comforts out of focused devotion to God. Exploring the biblical purposes and examples of fasting can help us apply this powerful spiritual discipline effectively in our walk with the Lord.