Franklin Jentezen - Fasting for spiritual breakthrough: a practical guide to nine biblical fasts

by Jentezen Franklin

From the beginning of my ministry over thirty years ago, fasting has been a part of the fabric of my life. For me, fasting has been the secret to obtaining open doors, miraculous provision, favor, and the tender touch of God on my life. I was on a three-day fast when God called me to preach. I was on a 21-day fast when our ministry received its first million-dollar gift. When I was an evangelist, my brother and I traveled together, and we would rotate nights when we would preach. When it was his night, I would fast for him, and when it was my night, he would fast for me. We went from obscurity to doors opening all over the world through the power of fasting.

Since Ive been a pastor, our church begins each year with a 21-day fast. We have seen great spiritual breakthroughs because our people united together in sacrificial prayer and fasting for great projects and moves of God. Free Chapel grew from that first building on Browns Bridge Road that held about 150 worshipers to our present 3,200-seat worship center. Not only do we fill it twice each Sunday, but we have gone on to open four additional campuses and launch an online church as well. Fasting has become a lifestyle that unlocks heavens door and slams shut the gates of hell.

When we were a small group of people fasting and praying to reach the world, I never expected we would have five physical auditoriums with over 15,000 worshipers each Sunday. God has given breakthroughs that we never expected, and each new year we begin with that same 21-day fast asking God for more.

Then, simultaneously, over 20 years ago God also opened the door to an international television outreach. As a small church we fasted and prayed to reach unsaved people, plus Gods other sheep (John 10:16), those people all over the world who needed to learn more about God and His love. Today we televise our Kingdom Connection ministry to over 80 nations and are on some of the biggest television networks in the world.

I believe in fasting because Ive seen what happens when my congregation joins me in fasting for 21 days every January. Ive seen miraculous healing in answer to prayer and fasting. I have seen addictions fall off people and families restored... all during and after our annual 21-day fast. Ive seen millions of dollars raised in answer to prayer and fasting. God has intervened in wonderful ways because our people have a heart for God as expressed in sacrificial fasting.

But we are not just getting things from God by fasting. We fast as a lifestyle because we know it pleases God when we meet Him in worship. Fasting is an expression of a heart of gratitude and a life lived totally dependent upon Him. We fast to demonstrate to God that we want to separate ourselves from the clutches and lusts of this world. Fasting and holiness go hand in hand.

One of my fasting mentors over the years has been Elmer Towns. This book, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, has meant more to me than anything I have read outside the Bible. There is more here than anywhere else about fasting and the many expressions of fasting for many different reasons, and for different lengths of time and different kinds of foods, while seeking God. I know it will broaden your understanding and motivate you to fast for your own spiritual breakthroughs.