There have been countless seasons in my life when I found myself desperate for more of God — not just His blessings, but His very presence. That’s when I’ve turned to fasting and prayer, humbling myself before Him, shutting out distractions, and earnestly seeking His face. Every time I’ve set aside food and earthly comforts to pursue Him more deeply, I’ve encountered breakthroughs, fresh revelations, and a spiritual intimacy that nothing else could satisfy.
As I share these 45 powerful scriptures on fasting and prayer, it’s from my own place of longing to grow even closer to God. These verses have fueled my prayers, lifted me when I felt weak, and given me language to cry out for transformation. My hope is that they’ll do the same for you, sparking a hunger that only God can fill, and reminding you of His incredible promises as you fast and pray.
Scriptures on Seeking God in Fasting
1. Joel 2:12
“‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’”
👉 Fasting is a way to return wholeheartedly to God.
2. Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
👉 Fasting helps tune your heart to seek Him fully.
3. Matthew 6:17-18
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father… and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
👉 God honors private, humble fasting.
4. Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you…”
👉 Fasting expresses deep spiritual thirst.
5. Hebrews 11:6
“…he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
👉 Faith in fasting draws God’s reward.
Scriptures for Breakthrough and Answered Prayer
6. Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to set the oppressed free?”
👉 True fasting breaks chains.
7. Ezra 8:23
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
👉 Fasting invites God’s intervention.
8. Daniel 9:3
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
👉 Daniel combined fasting with fervent prayer.
9. Acts 10:30-31
“‘Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed…’ and God answered.”
👉 Cornelius fasted, and God responded.
10. Matthew 17:21 (NKJV)
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
👉 Some breakthroughs only come by fasting.
Scriptures for Guidance During Fasting
11. Acts 13:2-3
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…’”
👉 Fasting brings clear direction.
12. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and he will make your paths straight.”
👉 In fasting, trust Him to direct you.
13. Psalm 25:4-5
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.”
👉 Ask for His guidance during your fast.
14. James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…”
👉 Fasting is a time to seek divine wisdom.
15. Isaiah 30:21
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”
👉 Expect to hear God clearly.
Scriptures for Strength and Sustenance in Fasting
16. Isaiah 40:31
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength…”
👉 Fasting renews spiritual strength.
17. Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart.”
👉 Waiting (fasting) builds courage and endurance.
18. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
👉 Including completing your fast.
19. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
👉 His power sustains your fast.
20. Exodus 34:28
“Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water…”
👉 God can supernaturally sustain.
Scriptures for Deliverance and Protection
21. Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
👉 Fasting invites God’s deliverance.
22. Psalm 91:15
“He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.”
👉 God promises His presence.
23. Psalm 107:20
“He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
👉 His Word delivers.
24. Nahum 1:7
“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who trust in him.”
👉 Fast knowing He’s your refuge.
25. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4
“Jehoshaphat… proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah… and they sought the LORD.”
👉 They fasted for protection and victory.
Scriptures on Humility and Repentance in Fasting
26. James 4:8-10
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
👉 Fasting humbles you before God.
27. Psalm 51:10, 17
“Create in me a clean heart… a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
👉 Repent deeply in fasting.
28. 1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
👉 Fasting is an act of humility.
29. Jonah 3:5-10
“The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed… and God relented.”
👉 Their fasting and repentance moved God.
30. Joel 2:13
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God…”
👉 God desires heart-change through fasting.
Scriptures for Faith and Expectation
31. Mark 11:24
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
👉 Fast with expectation.
32. Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…”
👉 Stay steadfast in your fast.
33. Romans 4:20-21
“He did not waver through unbelief… being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
👉 Like Abraham, trust Him fully.
34. Matthew 21:22
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
👉 Believe as you fast.
35. Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”
👉 Fasting is an act of commitment.
Scriptures for Joy and Praise in Fasting
36. Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
👉 Even in fasting, rejoice!
37. Psalm 16:11
“In your presence there is fullness of joy…”
👉 Fasting brings you deeper into His presence.
38. Isaiah 58:11
“The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought.”
👉 He satisfies you even when you’re physically hungry.
39. Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
👉 Praise through your fast.
40. Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
👉 Let joy sustain your fast.
Scriptures Declaring Victory Through Fasting
41. Romans 8:37
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
👉 You’re conquering by fasting.
42. 1 John 5:4
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world…”
👉 Your fast is part of overcoming.
43. 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people… will humble themselves and pray… then will I hear from heaven and heal their land.”
👉 Fasting invites national breakthrough.
44. Psalm 44:5
“Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.”
👉 Victory is assured.
45. Micah 7:7
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
👉 Wait expectantly—He will answer.
Conclusion
Looking back over the scriptures that have carried me through seasons of fasting and prayer, I can’t help but be overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness. Every single time I’ve humbled myself and sought Him with all my heart, He’s met me — sometimes by answering specific requests, other times simply by flooding me with His peace and reminding me that He is enough. These truths from His Word have been my anchor, especially on days when fasting felt tough or when answers seemed delayed.
I pray that as you meditate on these verses, your spirit will be stirred with renewed faith and expectation. Remember, God sees your sacrifice. He hears your whispered prayers and treasures your desire to draw closer. So press on, stand on His promises, and know that the breakthroughs you’re fasting for are already on their way, because our God is always faithful to respond to those who diligently seek Him.
