(Sixth part)
Memory verse (Matt17: 18-21) “ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, Why could we not cast it out? So Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting ”.
Jesus cast out a demon out the child that had challenged his disciples. They tried all the ways they had seen Jesus using to cast out devils but they failed. Then the disciples asked Jesus why they tried and failed; yet with Jesus it was possible. The first answer from Jesus was because of UNBELIEF. Then he went on further to tell them that that kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Prayer and fasting is connected to your faith. Faith is of the spirit and unbelief is of the flesh. Prayer and fasting is one weapon that put to death the works of the flesh. Fasting put the flesh to death and prayer empowers your spirit. That which empowers your spirit builds your faith. Prayer builds up your faith (Jude1: 20). The more you take time to fast and pray in the spirit, you build up your faith. As you build up your faith, unbelief is being broken down.
Dear beloved, we need to get back some of these weapons that Satan had stolen from the church. Prayer and fasting is one tool that the church of our day has neglected. It’s true prayer and fasting do not move God, it’s true that it’s not prayer and fasting that do the miracles, but prayer and fasting shape us, it destroy things in our flesh that hinder God’s power to flow in our lives. As you fast short to long periods with praying more in the spirit, you are doing two things at a time: you are putting to death the works of the flesh and you’re building up your most holy faith, i.e. you are making your flesh weaker and your spirit stronger. And in so doing, you’re positioning your spirit to receive the anointing from God that breaks yokes. The Bible has record of men of prayer and fasting who possessed the kind of faith that could do impossibilities. God wants to make your life fruitful and wants you to do His the works to change your generation.
Nice weekend and see you next Monday
