By Prayer and Fasting I

Sunday 1 October
READ: Mk. 9:14-29    
MORE LESSON:  Lk.2:36 -38

Jesus went to the mount of transfiguration with some of His disciples leaving the others behind to wait. Coming back to them He saw the disciples struggling without result as a healing and deliverance case. In fact the situation had degenerated to an argument and a debate between the disciples of Jesus and the scribes. Only God knew what the scribes had been saying. Thank God for Jesus' timely arrival and intervention, the boy was instantly healed. Surprised, the disciples put their shame aside and asked Jesus ...Why could not we cast him out? Mk. 9:28.

This  wonderful story has given us a great revelation that certain things will not happen to us except we add fasting to prayer. However, it is sad that today certain versions of the Bible omit the word 'fasting' from this passage. My interest is in the wisdom and courage of the disciples to ask, ...Why could not we cast him out? This question gave birth to the great revelation that has empowered us to prevail over the devil and his wicked agents. If the disciples had kept quiet, maybe Jesus wouldn't have revealed this: ...this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting: Matt. 17:21.

While the opportunity lasts, we should be wise enough to ask God, our leaders, fellow Christians and as many as could help, why we could not do certain things. We can ask Jesus through prayer why, how, and what can be done about our failures; He is still alive to answer us. Rather than pack it up, ask God, and wait for the answer. Sometimes you also need to ask yourself because it is not always all about God but also about certain things which are known to us. And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting: Mk. 9:29. Beloved, exceptional things happen when we fast and pray.

Exceptional things are things that will not happen ordinarily. Nehemiah, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, David, Esther are a few testimonies to this. By fasting Nehemiah made a Babylonian king to pay for the building of the wall of Jerusalem; Daniel defeated the prince of Persia; Esther broke protocol and got the enemy of the Jews hanged.  All these happened before saints spoke in tongues. Holy Ghost prayer plus righteous fast will do exceptional things.  

Prayer/Action
* Pray for a humble heart to learn from your failures and receive grace for success in subsequent endeavours.
*Pray that the key of prayer and fasting will not be lost in our assembly and homes.
*Receive strength to pay the price and to endure in the place of prayer, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, it is with a heart of gratitude that I receive the month of October and I declare it fixed for joy, in the name of Jesus.