TOPIC: THE POWER OF FASTING AND PRAYERS.
Bible Reading: Deut. 14,15,16. Mark: 12:28-44
“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing , but by prayer and fasting” Mark 9:29 (KJV)
One will expect that having repented and accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour automatically enlist us to operate effortlessly in dealing with life matters. Some will reason that if God is the overall power and all power belongs to God, then it is expected that all powers of darkness will easily bow before us as sons of the Most High God. The question then is why do we need to fast?
In answering the numerous question that will be bothering us along with this question, we need to first understand what fast does to our physical body. Medical science has given kudo to fasting. A well known study has shown that fasting helps to ensure we are cancer free. Fasting has also been proven to enhance our wellbeing health wise. Science has also said that fasting helps to promote blood sugar control, promotes better health by fighting inflammation, it enhances healthy heart by improving blood pressure, may boost brain function, helps in weight management options, it helps in growth, metabolism, weight loss and muscle strength, can delay aging and extend longevity. The bible stated in 1 Timothy 4:8(KJV), “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come”. Fasting and prayer is a spiritual exercise that bothers on godliness. If in the physical, fasting can be of such an immense benefit then consider the tremendous spiritual gain that will accompany such an exercise.
When fasting is accompanied by prayer we are empowered to loose the bands of wickedness, undo burdens and free the oppressed and break every yoke (Isaiah 58:6) via deliverance as stated in our scriptural verse of today. Prayers backed up by fasting is a platform of accessing our high places in life and give effect to the actualization of supernatural breakthrough (Isaiah 58: 8-12). In Nehemiah 1:4(KJV), the bible said, “And it came to pass, when I had these words, that I down and wept. And mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Fasting and prayers gave effect to Nehemiah’s enthronement. It is therefore a must spiritual responsibility to give effect to the actualization of our destiny. Fasting and prayers gave effect to Christ accomplishment of His mission on earth, see Matthew 4:2. The result of that exercise was acknowledged in Matthew 13:54(KJV), “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” The issue is if the Incarnate Word who is God and by whom all things were created fasted to accomplished His mission here on earth, it therefore means that fasting is ordained to provoke our supernatural breakthrough and accomplishment of our destinies in life. Fasting facilitates answer to prayers and gives us command over the affairs of life. Israel had supernatural breakthrough against their enemies by fasting (2 Chronicles 20: 11-22).
Dear reader, fasting and prayer genuinely carried out in Christ produces effectiveness in our Christian pilgrimage.
Prayer: Oh Lord give me the grace to fast and pray my way to supernatural victory.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo