READ: Matthew 17:14-21
“And Jesus said unto them, …Howbeit THIS KIND GOETH NOT OUT BUT BY PRAYER AND FASTING” – Matthew 17:20-21
There are different kinds of problems. Not all problems are the same.
There are problems that will not go away with counselling. There are problems that will not go away with preaching. There are problems that will not go away with discussions. There are problems that will not go away by being patient! There are some problems that need prayers with fasting. There are certain problems that are only solved by prayer with fasting.
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, WITH FASTING, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession… Daniel 9:3-4
Jesus explained that the disciples could not cast out [certain] devils because that type of problem responded only to prayers with fasting. However, Jesus Himself did not go and fast in order to cast out the devil. He already had a background of fasting and waiting on the Lord.
Fasting is an important spiritual exercise. It is having a background of fasting and waiting on the Lord that releases the kind of power that is needed for dealing with certain demonic powers.
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, … THIS KIND GOETH NOT OUT BUT BY PRAYER AND FASTING. Matthew 17:18-21