Prayer, Fasting & the Power of
Jesus
By Elin Henderson
“…This
kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
Mark
9:29b (NKJV)
Ever come upon a problem that is so
vast, so impossible, and despite your greatest spiritual endeavors, you are
unable to affect it? Jesus’ disciples came upon such a circumstance as this in
Mark 9:14-29. It wasn’t like they were at a spiritual low. They had just come
down from the Mount of Transfiguration! If that wasn’t a literal and
metaphorical spiritual high, I don’t know what is?!
They were equipped, sent out, and
were on “active duty.” But, then they came upon this insurmountable situation. A
boy possessed by an evil spirit was brought to them. Who knows how long they
tried in vain to deal with this spirit, long enough for a large crowd to form
and for the father of the child to become very frustrated! Jesus comes upon
this scene and immediately the crowds turn to Him. He listens to the problem
and intervenes, freeing the boy of his bondage and healing him fully.
I can only imagine that as soon as
the disciples could get Jesus alone, they frustratingly cried out, “Why
couldn’t we do that?” His reply was succinct but impactful. “Some issues can
only be dealt with by prayer and fasting” - - and the unspoken but evident
power of Jesus!
There are situations that we face
that are way beyond us, even if we are walking in the light and power He has
given us. Do you have any of these in your life right now? Someone you love
that is SO far from the Lord that you wonder if they will ever turn back? A
relationship so devastated that it seems no recourse is possible? Someone so
beyond healing that you wonder if they will ever be whole again? We actively
try and help but then, nothing happens. Jesus reminds us here that some of
these really heavy situations are only dealt with by prayer, fasting and the power of Jesus! Our part is the
prayer and fasting, but the real work is through the power of Jesus! He alone
can set the captive free and heal the sick and wounded. Let’s not grow weary,
but continue on, praying, fasting and believing that He
is able!
GOING DEEPER:
1. If you have identified a
situation in your life that would fit into this category, what are some ways
you can apply this principle?
2. Are there others you can
ask to join you?
FURTHER READING:
Oakwood’s
missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as
church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique,
Africa. Elin is mother to fourteen-year-old
Callie and eleven-year-old Elias.
