Here are some quotes about Biblical fasting that inspire me. I pray they inspire you as well:
“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” Andrew Murray
“One way to begin to see how vastly indulgent we usually are is to fast.” Elisabeth Elliot
“By fasting the body learns to obey the soul; by praying the soul learns to command the body.” William Secker
“The purpose of fasting is to loosen to some degree the ties which bind us to the world of material things and our surroundings as a whole, in order that we may concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things.” Ole Hallesby
“Fasting in the Biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determination in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation.” Wesley Duewel
“Fasting is abstaining from anything than hinders prayer.” Andrew Bonar
Which of these quotes do you like best? Tell me below in the comments. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Pastor Steve Hogg
Bonnie says
With what I know about fasting, these all sound like good quotes but, could you provide scriptures for these quotes so I that I may have a better understanding of the true meaning of fasting and what God wants?
Thank you so much.
Steve Hogg says
Bonnie,
As you probably know, the quotes about fasting on Day 18 of the Five Week Challenge on my blog are not tied to specific Bible verses but are statements expressing the lessons people who’ve fasted have learned about its importance in their lives.
Having said that, here are some Bible verses that speak to the issue of fasting and seeking God, as well as letting go of the temporal and physical for the sake of the eternal and spiritual.
Isaiah 58:3-7
The prophet condemns the fast of his contemporaries because their motivation was selfish and for personal gain. He makes it clear that fasting is a way to humble ourselves and should result in changed behavior that is godly.
Acts 14:23
Fasting was part of the setting aside elders in local congregations and committing them to the Lord. It was for dedication.
Luke 4:2; Matthew 4:4
During Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, He fasted. It was during this time He made it clear to Satan that ultimately we live on God’s word not physical food. Sometimes depriving ourselves of earthly pleasures makes us more attune to heavenly realities.
I Corinthians 7:5
Giving up sexual pleasure for a period of time can provide opportunity for greater praying.
Psalm 35:13
Fasting and prayer for people who are sick.
Nehemiah 1:4
Fasting over a condition that breaks your heart.
Ezra 8:21-23
Fasting to humble ourselves and seek God’s protection.
Acts 13:3
Fasting as a normal part of worship, which resulted in them hearing God and doing His will.
Acts 13:3
Fasting as part of ordination and commissioning to service.
I Corinthians 9:27
The importance of disciplining our bodies.
Colossians 3:1-2
Seek things above.
Philippians 4:8
Dwell on the better things – make time to do this.
Galatians 5:24; Romans 13:14
We are to crucify the flesh and it’s passions.
Romans 8:5-9; Galatians 6:8
Don’t set our minds on the things of the flesh, but on the things of the Spirit.
I pray you are encouraged today in your walk with our Lord.