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 twelve-year-old Elias.
