Fasting is a powerful spiritual practice found throughout the Bible, often used to seek God through prayer, repentance, and clarity. While Scripture doesn’t lay out strict rules about drinking during a fast, most biblical examples suggest that drinking water was allowed and even expected—unless it was a rare, short-term absolute fast that involved no food or drink. Understanding the type of fast you’re doing is key to determining whether liquids like water, tea, or juice are appropriate.
Ultimately, God is more concerned with the heart behind your fast than the specifics of what you consume. Fasting is about humbling yourself, focusing on Him, and removing distractions—not following a checklist. If you’re considering a fast and want to do it in a biblically sound and healthy way, keep reading for a deeper dive into the types of fasts, practical tips, and biblical examples that’ll guide your journey.
If you’re wondering what the Bible says about drinking while fasting, you’re not alone. Fasting is a spiritual discipline found throughout Scripture, but there’s often confusion about the “rules”—especially when it comes to drinking water or other liquids. Let’s break it down simply and clearly.
What Is Biblical Fasting?
First, we need to define what fasting means in the Bible. Fasting, at its core, is voluntarily going without food to focus on God. It’s meant to humble the body and draw you closer to Him through prayer, repentance, and reflection.
In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus talks about fasting, not as an “if” but a “when”:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting.”
This tells us fasting was a normal part of life for believers—and it’s still encouraged today.
Does the Bible Say You Can Drink While Fasting?
Here’s the straight answer: The Bible does not explicitly say whether drinking is allowed or not during a fast. It doesn’t give a list of dos and don’ts. That said, by looking at biblical examples of fasting, we can get a good idea of what was typical—and what was extreme.
Types of Fasts in the Bible
There’s more than one way to fast. Let’s look at the main types of biblical fasts and what each says about drinking:
1. Normal Fast (Food Only)
This is the most common type.
- You abstain from food but drink water.
- Jesus likely did this in Matthew 4:2: “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
- Notice it says He was hungry, not thirsty.
Conclusion: Drinking water during a fast was likely normal practice.
2. Absolute Fast (No Food or Water)
This is much more extreme.
- Ezra 10:6 and Esther 4:16 show examples of not eating or drinking anything:
“Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day…” (Esther 4:16)
- Paul also did this for 3 days after his encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:9):
“For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.”
Important: These fasts were short—usually no more than 3 days. The human body can’t go much longer without water.
3. Partial Fast (Limited Food or Drink)
This involves restricting certain foods or drinks rather than avoiding all food.
- Daniel’s fast is a good example:
“I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips” (Daniel 10:3)
- He didn’t completely stop eating or drinking but avoided indulgent items.
Conclusion: There’s flexibility in how one fasts. It’s more about the heart than the technical details.
Is Drinking Water During a Fast Okay?
Yes. In fact, it’s wise. Most biblical fasts assumed water was allowed unless clearly stated otherwise.
Unless you’re called to an absolute fast—and that’s rare and extreme—it’s perfectly fine, even advisable, to drink water while fasting.
Even medical professionals agree: the body can survive without food longer than it can without water. If you’re doing a spiritual fast today, especially for multiple days, drink plenty of water to stay safe and focused.
Can You Drink Other Liquids During a Fast?
That depends on your purpose. If your fast is just avoiding solid food, then some people drink:
- Juice
- Herbal tea
- Broth
However, if your fast is also about denying indulgence or comfort, you might want to stick with just water. The Bible doesn’t spell this out, so you have room to decide based on your conviction and what you’re fasting for.
Biblical Focus: The Heart Behind the Fast
God cares more about why you’re fasting than what exactly you’re consuming. In Isaiah 58, God rebukes the Israelites for fasting outwardly while still living unjustly:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to share your food with the hungry…” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
Fasting isn’t a spiritual performance. It’s a tool for humility, dependence on God, repentance, and prayer.
Practical Guidelines for Fasting Today
Here’s what you should keep in mind if you’re considering a fast and wondering about drinking:
1. Know Your Purpose
Are you fasting for clarity, repentance, breakthrough, or spiritual growth? Your reason will shape how you fast.
2. Decide the Type of Fast
- Total fast (no food, only water)?
- Partial fast (restricting certain foods)?
- Absolute fast (no food or drink—short term only)?
3. Stay Safe
God never calls you to harm yourself. If you’re on medication, pregnant, or have medical issues, consult a doctor.
4. Stay Hydrated
If you’re doing a normal fast, drink water regularly. Fasting shouldn’t distract you with health issues.
Bible Examples of Fasting (and What They Tell Us)
| Person | Type of Fast | Duration | Notes |
| Jesus | No food (likely water) | 40 days | Tempted by Satan, led by the Spirit |
| Moses | Absolute fast | 40 days | Supernatural (Exodus 34:28) |
| Esther/Jews | Absolute fast | 3 days | Interceding for salvation |
| Daniel | Partial fast | 21 days | No rich food or wine |
| Paul | Absolute fast | 3 days | After conversion, in blindness |
Final Thoughts
The Bible doesn’t give hard-and-fast rules about drinking during a fast—but water is allowed in most biblical fasts, unless you’re doing a very short and specific absolute fast. What really matters is the heart behind your fast, not whether you had a cup of tea or just plain water.
So if you’re fasting, focus on:
- Humbling yourself before God
- Praying with intention
- Removing distractions
- Staying physically safe and mentally sharp
Drinking water supports all of that.
Remember: Fasting is a personal act of worship. Whether you’re drinking water, tea, or just going without food entirely, the point is to seek God with all your heart.
10 FAQs: What Does the Bible Say About Drinking While Fasting?
1. What does the Bible say about drinking while fasting?
The Bible doesn’t directly command for or against drinking during a fast. However, most biblical fasts seem to allow water unless clearly described as an absolute fast (no food or drink). The focus is on spiritual purpose, not strict rules.
2. Can I drink water while fasting according to the Bible?
Yes. Water is generally assumed to be part of a normal fast in Scripture. Jesus fasted 40 days and was described as hungry, not thirsty (Matthew 4:2), implying He drank water.
3. What is an absolute fast in the Bible?
An absolute fast means no food and no water, typically for no more than 3 days. Examples include Esther’s fast (Esther 4:16) and Paul’s 3-day fast (Acts 9:9). These are extreme and should be approached with caution.
4. Is drinking juice or tea allowed during a biblical fast?
It depends on the purpose of your fast. If you’re not doing an absolute fast and still want to avoid solid food, many people include juice, herbal teas, or broth. However, if you’re fasting to deny comforts, it may be best to stick with plain water.
5. Does drinking water break a fast?
No. Drinking water does not break a fast, especially in the biblical sense. Most fasts in the Bible included water unless otherwise specified.
6. What kind of fast did Jesus do?
Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). The text says He became hungry, not thirsty, which likely means He refrained from food but still drank water—a typical “normal fast.”
7. What should I consider before starting a biblical fast?
Know your purpose, choose the type of fast, and make sure it’s safe. Fasting should never harm your health. Staying hydrated is important, and God honors the heart behind the fast more than the method.
8. Can I still drink coffee while fasting for spiritual reasons?
Technically yes, unless you’re doing an absolute fast. But consider your intent—if your fast is to let go of daily comforts or stimulants, you may want to skip the coffee.
9. How long can I go without water in a fast?
The human body typically can’t go more than 3 days without water. That’s why absolute fasts in Scripture were very short. If you’re fasting today, drinking water is not only allowed but necessary unless God calls you to something different—and even then, with wisdom.
10. Is there a right way to fast according to the Bible?
There’s no single formula. What matters is the heart: humility, repentance, prayer, and focus on God. Isaiah 58 explains that God desires a fast that changes how we live and treat others, not just abstaining from food.
