What is fasting? In the broadest, most generic sense of the word, fasting is denying our flesh to benefit our spirits. It is ignoring the appetites of our flesh to give priority to our spirit. In the Bible, this looks like abstaining from food to direct more attention to prayer and seeking God. Whatever the fast, the fundamental part is seeking God. If we skip meals without also seeking God, we’re simply starving ourselves! The point of a fast is to seek God.

There are many examples of fasting in the scriptures that help guide and shape our fast. God’s people would fast for part of a day or up to forty days. They would fast to express grief and mourning. They would fast to confess and repent of sin. Fasting was often used to focus and intensify prayer. Fasting was used as a regular spiritual discipline, a way of exercising oneself to godliness.

This is the briefest of introductions to fasting, a practice of God’s people for thousands of years. It’s a simple practice, and yet one we can all learn more. To discover for yourself how this practice is seen in the Bible, follow along through this word search.