Matthew 6:16-18
It is clear that the saints in the Old Testament fasted. They held a yearly fast on the Day of Atonement—probably the most important day on the Israelite calendar (Lev 16:29–31). They also fasted in times of danger, distress, grief, mourning, and repentance. In the New Testament we see that John the Baptist taught his disciples to fast (Matt 9:14). The Pharisees fasted (Luke 18:12). The apostles fasted at keys times in their ministries as well (Acts 13:1–3; 14:23). Despite all this, in our day we seem to know little about the practice.
