10 Bible Verses about How To Fast

Giving the force of law to these days of Purim at their fixed times, as they had been ordered by Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen. This was in keeping with the rules they had made for themselves and their descendents, in connection with their time of going without food and their cry for help.

Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed (rush) and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to Jehovah?

Is this not the fast I choose to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?

But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. My prayer returned unanswered.

When you abstain from food, do not be like the hypocrites, with sad faces to be seen by men. They have received their reward.

Anoint your head and wash your face.

That way, men may not see that you are fasting. Your Father knows in secret and will reward you.

Why have we fasted and you do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and you do not notice? Behold, on the day of your fast you find desire, and mistreat all your workers.'

Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying: 'For the past seventy years did you fast for me when you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months?

You fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast today to make your voice heard on high.