Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8400 The tasks of the believer  »  8429 fasting  »  8431 fasting, reasons for

Scripture identifies a number of situations in which fasting is appropriate.

Situations in which fasting is appropriate

Bereavement

1 Chronicles 10:11-12 pp 1 Samuel 31:11-13 See also 2 Samuel 1:11-12; Samuel 3:31-35

Distress

Esther 4:3 See also 1 Samuel 1:7; Samuel 20:34; 1 Kings 21:4-6; Psalm 109:24; Daniel 6:18; Acts 27:33

Penitence

1 Samuel 7:5-6 See also Nehemiah 9:1-3; Daniel 9:3-6 Daniel identifies himself with the sin of the people; Daniel 9:20; Joel 1:13-14; Joel 2:12-15; Jonah 3:5-9

Seeking God's intervention

2 Samuel 12:15-17 See also 2 Chronicles 20:2-4; Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:15-16; Psalm 35:13-14

Seeking guidance

Judges 20:26-28 See also Deuteronomy 9:9 Moses fasts before the revelation of the Law; Daniel 9:1-3,20-23; Daniel 10:1-2,12; Acts 13:1-3 The church receives direction through the Holy Spirit while fasting.

Indicating earnestness

Acts 23:12-13

See also

5795  bereavement
6624  confession of sin
8124  guidance
8160  seeking God
8276  humility