The Fast 2026 | Stay Humble & Hungry | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, January 4
What if one spiritual discipline could fast-track the purpose of God in your life and break the bondages holding you back? In this powerful message, we explore how fasting can sharpen your discernment, invite God’s favor, and step into the miracles waiting for you in the new year.
Scriptures
Acts 13:1-4; Proverbs 16:32; Daniel 10:2-3; Matthew 4:4; Nehemiah 9:3; Esther 4:16; Psalm 92:10;
Key Points
1. Fasting manifests self-control. Nothing manifests self-control like fasting. Fasting is a trick play in the playbook of God. Fasting is the least practiced but the most powerful tool for Christians. Fasting is giving up food. It shows God that you crave Him more than food. It shows God how serious you are about what you’re praying for.
2. Fasting is seeking God. When you fast, you seek God, and He gives you a fresh word from Heaven. It’s time to say “no” to the status quo. Don’t allow yourself to be normal.
3. God’s favor comes to you when you fast. The favor of God does for you what you can’t do for yourself. The key to favor is to stay humble and stay hungry. His favor will surround you like a shield, open doors no man can shut, and turn every attack into a platform on which you can testify to God’s goodness.
4. Fasting manifests discernment. Fasting purges your motives and will. It clears your mind so you can hear His voice. Lay your decision on the altar and let God give you the answer. Never make major decisions without fasting and prayer.
8. Fasting brings dreams. When you fast, you begin to dream and see visions. You cannot fast and seek God without getting a dream and vision for your life from God.
• Have you ever fasted before? Why or why not?
• Why is having God’s favor so crucial in a believer’s life?
• What are you fasting for this year?
Introduction
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Today we’ll explore the message, ‘Fasting: Stay Humble and Hungry’ by Pastor Jentezen Franklin. The message encouraged us to respond to God’s call to a Biblical fast—an act of surrender that aligns our hearts with His purposes. Scripture reminds us that when prayer and fasting come together, heaven’s power is released in extraordinary ways.
Through fasting, we choose to lay aside physical comfort to cultivate spiritual strength. In denying ourselves food, we nurture the fruit of self-control and position our lives to encounter the miraculous work of God flowing through us. Fasting strengthens our ability to say “no” to the flesh so we can say “yes” to the Spirit. It welcomes fresh oil and divine favor, breaks heavy yokes, releases a timely word from the Lord, and unleashes the power of the Holy Spirit for signs and wonders as we begin this year.
Fasting is not a formula, but a sacred process—one that allows hidden impurities to surface so God’s righteousness can replace them. As we humble ourselves before Him, fasting opens the door for us to witness all that God longs to do in and through our lives in the year ahead.
This week we will dig into:
• Exercising The “No” Muscle
• Draining Old Oil, Change The Filter, and Pouring New Oil In
• Fasting For Discernment, Purging, and Power
Saying No to the Flesh: Self-Control and Spiritual Strength
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-25 NIV
As we explore the discipline of fasting, we can look at the fruit of the Spirit and see that self-control is the ninth fruit of the Spirit, but certainly not the least.
Pastor referred to the jawbone as being the strongest muscle in the body with a significant force of up to 200 pounds! We can conquer our spiritual jawbone by exercising self-control and the "no" muscle by saying no to sin, temptation, compromise, or anything that displeases our Lord.
The New Living Translation expresses it this way: "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."
This reminds us that practicing the fruit of the Spirit isn't about self-effort alone, but about yielding daily to the Holy Spirit's guidance—allowing Him to cultivate these qualities as we crucify the flesh and walk in step with Him. Amen to the transformative power of God's Spirit at work within us!
- What’s one area where your “jawbone” (strongest muscle/temptation) needs more “no” muscle right now?
- How has yielding to the Holy Spirit helped you grow in self-control, rather than relying on willpower alone?
- Which fruit of the Spirit do you most want the Holy Spirit to cultivate in you through fasting or daily surrender? Why?
Stay Humble And Hungry
Psalm 92:10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.
Pastor Jentezen likened fasting to changing your car’s oil. Fresh oil brings power and speed; old, thick oil causes damage. The Holy Spirit is our power source—Jesus returned from temptation “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). Neglect spiritual maintenance, and we break down unexpectedly.
Skip time with Jesus and His Word, walk in the flesh, and we end up stranded. Fasting exposes what’s dirty, stale, and hard-hearted. As we “drain” the old, fresh Holy Spirit oil flows in—we see clearly and move freely again. We live and move only in Him (Acts 17:28). For urgent needs, prayer and fasting brings breakthrough (Matthew 17:21).
The oil filter must change too—ears, eyes, mind, mouth. God’s Word, purity, and fear of the Lord (Psalm 19:9) filter out what displeases Him. What’s in the heart comes out the mouth (Luke 6:45).
Fasting humbles us before God (Psalm 69:10; Ezra 8:21). Esther and Nehemiah fasted for guidance and favor. It tenderizes hearts, exposes sin, and invites Holy Spirit control. Walk in the Spirit, and you won’t gratify the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Fasting reveals our thirst so Jesus’ living water can flow (John 7:38).
• How’s your spiritual condition right now? If it needs attention, fast for cleansing, truth, and fresh awakening.
• Which part of the car analogy hits home most right now—needing fresh “oil” (Holy Spirit power) or a new “filter” (guarding eyes, ears, mind, mouth)?
• What “stale” or “dirty” areas might fasting reveal in your life, and how would you respond?
Surrendered to See Clearly
Prayer and fasting invite us into deeper intimacy with God. As we step away from distractions and deny the flesh, we become more aware of the Holy Spirit at work within us. In this space of surrender, our spiritual discernment is heightened, and the Lord gently reveals areas of our lives that need pruning—refining our hearts and purifying our motives.
In Mark 9, Jesus reveals that prayer and fasting are connected not only to spiritual power but also to faith. When the disciples are unable to cast out a demon, Jesus explains that “this kind” can only come out through prayer and fasting, showing that the discipline of prayer and fasting helps confront unbelief and deepen our trust in God.
Prayer and fasting draw us into dependence on the Holy Spirit, creating room for the Spirit of God to accomplish the Father’s will through us. This dependence strengthens our faith and enables us to walk in spiritual authority—breaking strongholds, rebuking the enemy, and casting out fear.
Isaiah 58:6 (NIV) reminds us:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice…
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?”
A lifestyle shaped by prayer and fasting leads us into freedom and transforms our lives as we walk in wholeness, power, and authority.
• What obstacles or distractions tend to hold you back from prayer and fasting, and why?
• Where in your life do you need greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit right now?
Conclusion
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
As we enter this season of fasting, we intentionally step away from the status quo through self-denial and prayer. We break down the walls of indifference that have formed over time so our relationship with the Lord can grow deeper, and our lives can be positioned for miracles through earnest seeking. We fast to receive fresh oil, favor, breakthrough, and victory, allowing God to cleanse what has clouded our discernment and draw us into a closer walk with Jesus.
Call To Action:
• Pray and identify what your purpose is in your fast,
• Choose the kind of fast you will do, (ie Daniel, liquid, abstinence from certain indulgent foods, etc.) [Please note that your fast may be modified due to health issues, work demands, or other circumstances. Remember, this is between you and God and not a legal or ritualistic formula. Fast what God lays on your heart to do.]
• Incorporate more time for prayer and time in God’s word, especially when hunger reminds us of our fast,
• Declare not to compromise while expecting God’s “yes” in your life.
• Journal anything you hear during your prayer time and especially any responses to your fasting objectives.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the power You have made available through fasting. We ask You, through this fast, to drain the old oil of our lives, pour in fresh so that we will be able to see more clearly and hear more acutely the leadings of Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, break every yoke that would seek to hold us captive and grant us the true freedom that You alone can provide. Align our will to Yours so that the desires of our hearts will be conformed to Your perfect will for us. Fill us with Your Spirit as we seek You in this new year. In Your Holy Name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Resources
YouTube
Spotify
Download this GG