Fasting is one of those controversial subjects in Christendom. You rarely see people in the middle on this subject; they are generally at either end of the extreme. We have written several articles on this subject here at WCWTK and we have found solid, biblical foundation to support this practice. I have listed those articles down at the bottom of this one; I encourage you to read them and learn. In the meantime, take a look at these Christian quotes about fasting.
“If you say ‘I will fast when God lays it on my heart,’ you never will. You are too cold and indifferent to take the yoke upon you.” ~ D.L. Moody
Fasting Defined/Purpose of Fasting
Fasting is abstaining from anything that hinders prayer. ~ Andrew Bonar, Minister, Free Church of Scotland
The abstinence is not to be an end in itself but rather for the purpose of being separated to the Lord and to concentrate on godliness. This kind of fasting reduces the influence of our self-will and invites the Holy Spirit to do a more intense work in us. ~ Williams Thrasher, Professor of Theology and Author
A fast is not a hunger strike. Fasting submits to God’s commands. A hunger strike makes God submit to our demands. ~ Ed Cole, Founder, Christian Men’s Network
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, Former President, One Mission Society
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, Lutheran Theology Teacher and Author
Fasting is abstaining from anything that hinders prayer.
Things to Consider While Fasting
While a fast, by nature, is inconvenient, it should be an inconvenience to you—not to those around you. ~ David Peach, Missionary and Writer, WhatChristiansWantToKnow.com
Fasting helps express, deepens, confirms the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God. ~ Andrew Murray, Missionary to South Africa
Fastings and vigils without a special object in view are time run to waste. ~ David Livingstone, Scottish Missionary to Africa
One way to begin to see how vastly indulgent we usually are is to fast. It is a long day that is not broken by the usual three meals. One finds out what an astonishing amount of time is spent in the planning, purchasing, preparing, eating, and cleaning up of meals. ~ Elisabeth Elliot, Author and Speaker
Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That is fasting. ~ Martin Lloyd-Jones, Welsh Protestant Minister
Bible Quotes About Fasting
Moses Fasted: “And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.” (Deuteronomy 9:18)
David Fasted: “And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.” (2 Samuel 12:15-16)
Nehemiah Fasted: “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, And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.” (Nehemiah 1:4-6)
The Elders in every church fasted: “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:23)
Final Thoughts
Some Christians fast and pray regularly while others never even consider this practice as a time that can be used to draw near to God. Take a look at what else we have written on this subject in the links below:
Fasting in the Bible: 10 Examples to Learn From
7 Good Reasons Christians Should Fast
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version
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