Biblical Examples of Prayer & Fasting

Exodus 34:27-35 (Moses fasted 40 days and nights to draw close to God)

1 Samuel 31:8-13 (mourning the death of Saul and his sons)

2 Samuel 12:15-23 (David's repentance and seeking God's grace for the life of his child with Bathsheba)

2 Chronicles 20:1-19 (seeking the Lord for guidance and depending on Him in lieu of invading army)

Nehemiah 1 (Confession of sin, calling on God to remember His promises, asking God in his power to move people and allow them to rebuild the wall)

Ezra 8:21-23 (the exiles depending on God for safe journey returning to Jerusalem)

Esther 4:3, 13-17 (Esther & the Jews praying and fasting for the Jews rescue from the King's decree; asking for favor)

Psalm 35:13 (David fasted for his sick friends)

Daniel 9:1-23 (Daniel fasted that God would deliver Israel from slavery)
Daniel 6:18 (A gentile king even fasted for Daniel when he was thrown into a lion's den)

Joel 2:12-13 (God's command to return to Him with fasting)

Matthew 4:1-11 (Jesus led by the Spirit to the desert, fasting 40 days and 40 nights)

Mark 9:29 (Christ said the only way to cast out difficult demons was through prayer and fasting)

Luke 2:36-37 (Anna the Prophetess fasted and prayed night and day, waiting for the redemption from God)

Acts 13:1-5 (The whole church in the New Testament fasted for the ministry of Paul and Barnabas)

Acts 14:20-23 (Fasting was part of appointing the elders of the church)



Passages about Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 9:14-17
Matthew 17:20 (some versions)
Isaiah 58:1-10 (God rebuking the nation of Judah for improper attitudes of fasting: pride, arrogance, selfish and unjust motives)