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SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:14-29 – ‘So He said to them, “This kind can only come out with prayer and fasting.'” (v29 NKJV)
OBSERVATION: A man had brought his deaf and mute son to the disciples for healing. The disciples were unable to cast out the unclean spirit that was holding this boy in bondage. Such was the stronghold over this boy that he would often convulse and be physicaly incapacitated. As the interaction progresses, Jesus tells the boys father that “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (v23)
APPLICATION: Are there barriers, attitudes or mindsets in your life that you are struggling with, that are holding you back from living the holy God centred life that God created you for? Is there a deafness in your life to hear clearly from God. Have things transpired in your life that are keeping you mute from speaking up, from having your say?
In this story, we read, how despite being with Jesus so much, the discples lacked the ability to deal with this boys issues. After hearing that the discplies had no success, Jesus asked this question to the whole crowd, not just the disciples, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you.”(v19) Jesus was challenging their faith for greater things. Jesus himself had been filled with the Holy Spirit, and understood the power in declared words. Jesus rebuked the deaf and dumb spirit, commanded it to come out of the boy and not return. (v25)
Later that day, Jesus was asked by the disciples why they could not cast out that spirit. Jesus responed saying that, that kind could only come out through prayer and fasting. Jesus himself had been through a season of fasting whilst in the desert after His baptism, and knew the power of spiritual disciplines. Fasting is a spiritual discpline. I am grateful that my church encourages this discipline, in fact we have an annual corporate 21 days of prayer and fasting. This time brings people closer to God, it brings forth breakthroughs, clarity, and miracles.
If there are barries, attitudes or mindsets in your life that need to be dealt with to bring you through to a holy God centred life, then maybe its time you considered adding fasting to your prayers. It is good for the physical man and the spirit man.
PRAYER: Dear God, show me those things in my life that need a more concerted spiritual discipline to bring me closer to you. Show me these things, and give me the courage to act on them as you speak to me. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
