Fasting has a rich history in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a powerful way to connect with God. In the Old Testament, people often fasted in times of deep sorrow or when they wanted to humble themselves before God. Take David in Psalm 35:13, for instance—he fasted to express his humility before the Lord. In the New Testament, fasting becomes a way to draw closer to God, centering one’s heart and mind on Him. Jesus exemplifies this in Matthew 4:1-2, fasting for 40 days in the wilderness to prepare for His ministry.

We’re also encouraged to keep our fasting between us and God; as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:16-18, we shouldn’t appear somber to signal that we’re fasting. It’s a private practice, meant to nurture a quiet, deep relationship with God. Fasting often goes hand in hand with prayer, creating an intentional time of worship, like in Acts 13:3, where early Christians fasted and prayed together, or in Luke 2:37, where a widow faithfully fasted and prayed day and night.