Fasting and Prayer: 3. Prayer and Fasting

It is when we link prayer and fasting that we begin to see an outward sign of the power of fasting. Up until now we have seen how fasting can humble and change us as individuals but there is more to it than just individual spiritual enlightenment and transformation. We see Jesus himself talk about this power in Matthew 17. The disciples had tried to cast a demon out of a boy but the demon refused to come out and when they asked Jesus why they could not cast it out, but He did, he replied;

"…this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21

Great emphasis is placed on the ‘by prayer and fasting’. There needed to be prayer and fasting behind this child’s deliverance, the power of the two together wielded greater authority in the spiritual realm and therefore got results.

Fasting though is not a way of dieting or allowing eating disorders to be spiritualised, be careful. It is not a way of bribing God into giving us the things we want or desire because we know there is authority there but it is a weapon against the enemy that is to be wielded under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you have never fasted before it is important to understand the subject before you launch into a forty day fast. Be wise. Fast for one meal first for a few times, then a day, build it up, be sensible. But more important than anything, let God guide you, if He tells you not to fast, don’t. Grow in understanding and grow in power as you learn to develop this weapon of prayer and fasting.

Sara Jukes

2006-03-13