Why Should Christians Fast?

Fasting is one of the spiritual practices Christians sometimes find difficult to understand. Prayer and Bible reading may seem like obvious parts of following Jesus, but intentionally going without food can feel unfamiliar. Yet fasting appears throughout Scripture, and Jesus clearly expected it to have a place in the lives of His followers.

So why should Christians fast?

At its heart, biblical fasting is about turning our attention toward God. It is voluntarily setting aside food, or sometimes another legitimate desire, for a period of time so that we can intentionally seek the Lord through prayer and dependence upon Him. Fasting is not about earning God’s favor or proving our spiritual maturity. Instead, it helps reveal how deeply we need God and reminds us that He is the true source of our life.

Jesus practiced fasting Himself. Before beginning His public ministry, He spent forty days fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–2). Later, when teaching His disciples, Jesus said, “When you fast” rather than “if you fast” (Matthew 6:16). He assumed fasting would be part of their relationship with God.

One of the most important benefits of fasting is that it helps us recognize our dependence upon the Father. Hunger is a powerful reminder that we are creatures with needs. Each time we feel hungry during a fast, we can allow that physical desire to turn our attention toward God. Instead of immediately satisfying the hunger, we pray, remembering Jesus’ words that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Fasting can also reveal what has gained too much influence over our hearts. We often do not realize how dependent we have become upon comfort, food, entertainment, technology, or other things until we intentionally set them aside. Fasting creates space for us to ask, What am I looking to for comfort, satisfaction, or security that I should ultimately be receiving from God?

That makes fasting an important practice for spiritual growth. It helps expose our desires and gives us an opportunity to bring those desires before God.

Fasting is also frequently connected with prayer in Scripture. God’s people fasted when seeking His guidance, grieving, repenting, preparing for ministry, or facing significant decisions. In Acts 13, the believers in Antioch were worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. Their fasting did not force God to speak; rather, it expressed their attentiveness and dependence upon Him.

If you have never fasted, begin simply. You might skip one meal and use the time you normally spend eating to pray and read Scripture. As hunger comes, allow it to become a reminder to turn your thoughts toward God. Over time, you may choose to fast for longer periods as appropriate.

Fasting should also be practiced wisely. People with medical conditions, dietary requirements, or other health concerns should seek appropriate medical guidance before fasting from food. The purpose is never to harm the body but to intentionally direct our desires toward God.

Jesus also warned against fasting to impress others. Biblical fasting is not a spiritual performance. It is an act of humility before our Father, who sees what is done in secret.

Ultimately, fasting teaches us something essential about the Christian life: **life is received, not achieved**. We do not sustain ourselves spiritually through our own strength. We receive life from Christ. As fasting exposes our hunger, weakness, and desires, it invites us to depend more fully upon Him.

Practiced with prayer, humility, and biblical wisdom, fasting can become a powerful rhythm of spiritual growth—not because going without food makes us more spiritual, but because it reminds us that our deepest hunger can only be satisfied by God.

Bible Institute Network exists to help students at every stage of their spiritual journey discover trusted Bible study resources, ministry training, and educational opportunities from a growing network of Bible institutes and seminaries.

Bible Institute Network was founded by Steve Lawes, who is also the founder of Church Encourager and Christian Practices, ministries dedicated to helping individuals and churches grow in biblical understanding, spiritual formation, and Christ-centered ministry.