September 3 - fasting

September 3 - Prayer and Fasting

There is an interesting story in Mark 9. 

IN this story, a man brings his son to Jesus and says that his son is demon possessed. He explains that it is so bad, the demon often throws the boy into water or fire trying to kill him. 

But then the conversation gets interesting. He says that he brought the boy to the disciples, but they could not help him. 

So Jesus ends up casting the evil spirit out of the boy, and he is healed. 

But imagine being the disciples and having everyone know that you were unable to do this. They must have been so frustrated that they failed, and this man told everyone their failure. So they run to Jesus and look for answer. Their question, “Jesus, why couldn’t we do this?” 

Now most translations have taken part of this out, but I want to read how the original and KJV write what Jesus says. 

He said, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (29)

So here is the interesting thing. What is he talking about with prayer and fasting? Do they need to fast for a period about the demon and how it will leave the boy, and then pray that it be gone?

If so, why didn’t Jesus take a break, let everyone know it was time to fast, and then tell the evil spirit to be gone? 

Jesus wasn’t talking about fasting over the boy and the evil spirit that was in him. The only piece that is immediate to the boy, is the prayer part. How do I know? Well look at Jesus. He didn’t go and fast first. He simply prayed and the spirit left him. 

So what is he talking about? 

A lifestyle of fasting. 

This isn’t a situational fast. This is fast that comes from a desired closeness and fullness of the Heavenly Father. This type of evil spirit is stronger and more stubborn. And the only thing you can do is have a lifestyle of fasting and closeness to God, so that when you pray, there is power. 

See, in the Christian world, we often get fasting wrong. We do it for situational answer instead of alignment with the heart of God. When Jesus tells his disciples this, he is making sure they understand that fasting causes a deeper level of connection with the Lord that brings different results. 

Now I know I told you God doesn’t want you to DO more, he just wants your to BE! Well this is still in alignment with this. When we fast, it isn’t so that we have the power to do. It is to give us the alignment to BE! Fasting causes us to align with God in a deeper way that gives us spiritual insights. It causes us to desire the heart of God more, so we see through spiritual eyes and are able to function in line with the spiritual realm. 

So now, let’s jump into the sermon on the mount again. This is chapter 6:16

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their rewards in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secrete, will reward you. 

Jesus is saying, fast, for the sake of being in a secret place with our Heavenly Father. Don’t do it for answers, don’t do it so others know how spiritual you are. Do it so that you can find a new level of seen-ness with God. You will see his heart, and he will see your heart in return. 

So simple challenge here today. 

I bet you can guess what it is. 

Push the food to the side, and set up time to fast. Don’t tell anyone, just go for it. And in this space, just let God know that you want more of him! You want to know him and be close to him. And if you do this, he will show you his goodness. 

And as that happens, I pray that you know more of what you believe and why you believe it to be true. It will be a challenge to do. But I know you can do it! And know that I love you, and as you grow closer to the LORD through a time of fasting and aloneness with him, May God bless you!