Prayer and fasting is another tool in the toolbelt for Christians when facing adversity. After casting out a demon Jesus was questioned by His disciples why it didn’t work for them after having received His power. His answer was simple and probably surprising.
He responded, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29)
Perhaps the reason this tool has so much power is because we can be so filled up with ourselves that the act of denying ourselves allows God room to work within us.
Sometimes it’s prayer and fasting that gets the job done with tough obstacles and challenges that face us.
Fasting without prayer isn’t enough if we want to destroy the problem in front of us. We can fast but if we do not add prayer to it we are just on a diet and nothing more. It is by denying our fleshly selves that breakthroughs happen.
Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
The act of denying oneself for the sake of God is the ultimate form of sacrifice because you give up all that you would do for Him. The Lord responds to those who are humbly obedient to Him.
If nothing works try the method of denying yourself for the sake of God and see what results it brings.
As always,
Peace be unto you,
Donald
Guest Author | Donald Pay
Originally published at https://medium.com/@DonaldPay
