Fasting and prayer are powerful spiritual disciplines that draw us closer to God. They are times of seeking His face, humbling ourselves, and receiving clarity, strength, and breakthrough.
During fasting, reading Scripture becomes even more essential. God’s Word nourishes our spirit when we set aside earthly things to focus fully on Him.
In this post, we’ll explore 35 powerful bible verses to read during fasting and prayer that can encourage your heart, guide your prayers, and strengthen your faith journey.
Key Takeaways:
- Fasting and prayer create space to hear God’s voice more clearly.
- Scripture gives strength, hope, and focus during spiritual seeking.
- Reading the Bible during fasting draws us closer to God’s will and heart.
35 Bible Verses to Read During Fasting and Prayer
1. Matthew 6:17-18
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret.”
Explanation: Fasting is a personal act of devotion between you and God, not for public display.
2. Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens?”
Explanation: True fasting brings freedom, justice, and restored relationships.
3. Joel 2:12
“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
Explanation: Fasting is a way to return wholeheartedly to God.
4. Ezra 8:23
“So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.”
Explanation: God responds to sincere fasting and prayer.
5. Matthew 4:2
“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
Explanation: Jesus fasted to prepare for His ministry, setting an example for us.
6. Nehemiah 1:4
“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Explanation: Fasting can be a response to grief and seeking God’s help.
7. Acts 13:2
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work.”
Explanation: Fasting prepares us to hear God’s specific instructions.
8. Psalm 35:13
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting.”
Explanation: Fasting humbles our hearts and draws us into deeper compassion.
9. Daniel 9:3
“And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting.”
Explanation: Fasting sharpens our focus in seeking God earnestly.
10. Luke 2:37
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”
Explanation: A lifestyle of fasting and prayer is a powerful way to serve God.
11. 2 Chronicles 20:3
“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”
Explanation: Fasting is a corporate act of seeking God during times of crisis.
12. Jonah 3:5
“So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast.”
Explanation: Fasting demonstrates repentance and a desire for mercy.
13. Isaiah 58:9
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.”
Explanation: God promises to respond when we fast with right hearts.
14. Psalm 69:10
“When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.”
Explanation: Fasting can bring a deep sense of humility before God.
15. Matthew 17:21
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Explanation: Some spiritual breakthroughs require both prayer and fasting.
16. Acts 14:23
“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.”
Explanation: Fasting accompanied important decisions in the early church.
17. Joel 1:14
“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord.”
Explanation: Fasting can unite communities in collective repentance and prayer.
18. Psalm 109:24
“My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.”
Explanation: Fasting reminds us of our human weakness and need for God.
19. Zechariah 7:5
“When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?”
Explanation: God desires fasting that is truly for Him, not for appearances.
20. 2 Samuel 12:16
“David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.”
Explanation: Fasting can express deep intercession and brokenness.
21. Esther 4:16
“Fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day.”
Explanation: Esther called for communal fasting before facing a major challenge.
22. Isaiah 58:8
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily.”
Explanation: True fasting brings spiritual renewal and healing.
23. 1 Kings 21:27
“And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted.”
Explanation: Even a wicked king like Ahab fasted and humbled himself before God.
24. Daniel 10:3
“I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
Explanation: Daniel’s partial fast showed dedication to seeking God over an extended time.
25. Psalm 42:1-2
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
Explanation: Fasting awakens a deeper thirst for God’s presence.
26. Joel 2:15
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.”
Explanation: Fasting calls God’s people back to seriousness and unity.
27. Nehemiah 9:1
“Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes.”
Explanation: Repentance and fasting were closely tied in Israel’s history.
28. Hosea 10:12
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground.”
Explanation: Fasting softens our hearts to receive God’s Word anew.
29. Acts 10:30
“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house.”
Explanation: Cornelius’s fasting led to a powerful encounter with God.
30. Jeremiah 29:13
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Explanation: Fasting focuses our heart fully on seeking God.
31. Romans 12:1
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”
Explanation: Fasting is part of offering our whole selves to God.
32. Psalm 63:1
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee.”
Explanation: Fasting expresses deep longing for God’s presence.
33. Mark 2:20
“Then shall they fast in those days.”
Explanation: Jesus taught that His followers would fast after His departure.
34. Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please him.”
Explanation: Fasting must be paired with faith in God’s goodness.
35. Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Explanation: Fasting points to a deeper hunger for God’s righteousness.
Final Thoughts: Drawing Near to God Through Fasting and Scripture
Fasting and prayer open up powerful spaces where we can meet God in fresh and intimate ways. These bible verses to read during fasting and prayer provide strength, focus, and encouragement for your spiritual journey. When we fast and pray with humble hearts, God’s presence meets us right where we are.
Now it’s your turn!
Which Bible verse inspired you the most today?
Do you have favorite Scriptures you turn to during your fasting and prayer times?
Share your thoughts and favorite verses in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!