Podcast Summary: Real America’s Voice – CHECK THE NEWS (Jan. 10, 2026)

Host: Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Date: January 11, 2026
Episode Theme: Spiritual Benefits and Practical Guidance for Fasting & Prayer

Overview

This episode is the kickoff for “Fasting and Prayer Day 1,” where Jonathan Shuttlesworth leads listeners through biblically-rooted strategies and encouragement for a 21-day period of fasting and prayer. The primary goal is spiritual breakthrough, personal transformation, and corporate blessing in 2026. The episode blends practical tips, scriptural backing, motivational remarks, and candid moments, all with Shuttlesworth’s characteristic directness, humility, and humor.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Supernatural Power of Fasting and Prayer

(02:47–14:44)

• Shuttlesworth opens with bold declarations regarding spiritual warfare and the authority available to believers:
  • “I prophesy in the name of Jesus Christ, every demon spirit assigned to your life, it backs off for free today...” (02:47)
• Announces his location (Pittsburgh, PA) and revival plans in Santa Ana, CA.
• Emphasizes starting the year with 21 days of fasting and prayer, encouraging listeners to join in person or online.
• Shares 20 themed “prayer points” for Day 1 (focused on thanksgiving, praise, and worship) and explains how these guide intentional, biblically-based prayer.
  • “If you have trouble praying for a period of time...I posted 20 prayer points today and I’m going to give a theme to pray every day with 20 prayer points.” (03:30)
• Stresses that prayer should be based on God’s done work and abundance, not lack.

2. Scriptural Foundation: The Idea of ‘Provoking’ God’s Favor

(10:36–14:44)

• Challenges common Christian platitudes:
  • “Fasting doesn’t change God; it changes you” and “There’s nothing we can do to get anything more…”
• Counters with New Testament examples where God responds to human action.
  • “There are actions you can take that provoke blessing from God.” (12:10)
• Discusses reward and obedience over passivity, emphasizing that spiritual disciplines “provoke” divine response.
• Introduces the term “covenant responsibilities”—Christian practices that attract spiritual blessing (fasting, prayer, giving, etc.).

3. The Early Church and Fasting Traditions

(18:40–21:25)

• Cites early church historical practice, referencing the Didache:
  • “Early Christian writings…mention that the early church often fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays…The Pharisees were known to fast on Mondays and Thursdays…”
  • (Dialogue with “ChatGPT” at 20:39–21:25)
• Encourages listeners that biblical Christianity includes big goals—mass healings, miracles, soul-winning—as seen in Acts.

4. Making an Impact: The Law of ‘First Things’

(23:54–28:54)

• Advocates dedicating the first month, first fruits, and early year to God, aligning with scriptural patterns.
  • “First 10% belongs to God…firstborn of your house, first fruit of your increase...our calendar year, what month are we in right now? Month number one.” (24:45)
• Suggests a dynamic, responsive approach to fasting, noting the flexibility of the biblical fast (e.g., breaking at 6 pm is scriptural).
• Shares candid experiences of struggle and imperfection during fasting.
  • “I'm saying it because if this is hard for you, I don't know if there's anybody that it's easy for right off the bat.” (27:55)

5. Seven Supernatural Benefits of Fasting and Prayer

List interwoven throughout, particularly at (16:53–43:05):

• Victory after Defeat: Fasting brings success where there was failure, removes limitations (16:53).
  • “Fasting and prayer gave them a victory where before they had failure. Fasting and prayer will turn your failures into successes.” (16:53)
• Acceleration of Answered Prayer: (Daniel 10) Fasting expedites answers and removes demonic delays.
  • “Fasting is an accelerant to prayer.” (31:38)
  • “No demon power can withstand 21 days of fasting and prayer.” (32:08)
• Corporate Power: Fasting can be private or corporate; immense power when unified.
  • “There’s power in all the people of God moving in the same direction. January is a powerful month because you have literally almost the entire body of Christ focusing their faith.” (36:40)

6. Biblical Examples & Practical Encouragement

(36:21–43:05)

• Jehoshaphat’s corporate fast (2 Chronicles 20) led to supernatural defeat of enemies, overwhelming prosperity.
  • “God doesn’t just defeat your enemies. He makes them cough up their wealth to go into the hands of the righteous.” (38:45)
• Ties these outcomes to contemporary needs: personal finances, business growth, ministry expansion.

7. Faith, Giving, and Happiness

(45:14–57:14)

• Shares tiers of giving and promised thank-you resources (books related to fasting, happiness, Bible study).
• Makes practical appeals—start where you are in giving; see it as a faith step for prosperity.
  • “The way one of the motivations in sowing should be to start where you are believing for the increase to keep being able to go higher.” (47:31)
• Unapologetically advocates for Christian happiness, sharing from his new book:
  • “God did not create life to be endured. He created it to be enjoyed.” (54:41)
  • “Growing up I had what some Christians might call a disease. I was happy all the time.” (55:07)
• Urges listeners to seek and enjoy both joy and happiness.

8. Final Blessing and Prayer

(56:40–57:14)

• Offers a robust prayer for financial breakthrough, expansion, new opportunities, and revival for listeners.
  • “I thank you for your hand that's on their life. I thank you for bringing them into their own personal Canaan land this year that's flowing with milk and honey.” (56:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “No devil in hell is gonna stop it. But when you stand up straight with your shoulders back…the fire of God down in your spirit…the devil will back off for free.” —Jonathan Shuttlesworth (02:50)
• “You can’t pick the Bible apart and take the parts you like and ignore the parts you don’t like.” (31:25)
• “God is a rewarder. But there’s things you do to enter into that reward. Obviously there’s things you can do to exit out of that reward.” (13:39)
• “If you’ve got tiny little goals for your life, then you can skip fasting and prayer…But if you would like to write a check to build a church, be the lender only and not the borrower—there’s spiritual limitations…requires all of the Bible.” (17:25)
• “It's hard to hit a small target, but it's impossible to hit a target that doesn't exist.” (22:04)
• “No demon power can withstand 21 days of fasting and prayer.” (32:08)
• On corporate fasts: “When people say, like, fasting should be something people do personally and privately. No, that's not. You're not right. Shut up. It's irritating to hear people say stuff that's just, like, plainly not...[biblical].” (36:40)
• On joy and happiness: “Most of the people who claim Christians should have joy rather than happiness don't have either. It's impossible to have joy and not be happy.” (55:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Start of Spiritual Message: 02:47
• 20 Prayer Points Focus: 03:30–07:30
• Debunking Passivity in Faith: 10:36–14:44
• Fasting Traditions (Early Church & Pharisees): 20:39–21:25
• Law of First Things & Practical Fast Guidance: 23:54–28:54
• Benefits of Fasting & Defining Corporate Power: 16:53, 31:04–43:05
• Faith, Financial Giving, and Happiness: 45:14–57:14
• Closing Prayer & Blessing: 56:40–57:14

Tone and Style

Direct, bold, scriptural, and sometimes humorously blunt. Shuttlesworth’s teaching aims to shake off complacency, encourage disciplined spiritual practice, and restore a vibrant expectation of God’s power and blessing in daily life.

For Listeners:

• This episode is an energizing guide and motivational push to begin the year committed to spiritual discipline.
• Key practical tools and resources are offered (e.g., prayer point lists, fasting guides).
• Expect a mixture of teaching, candid storytelling, and calls to faith-driven action.