21 Days On The Power Of Prayer By Angus BuchanSample

"Prayer and Fasting"

Matthew 17 records an incident when the disciples could not cast out a demon. When they asked the Lord why this was so, He said that it was because of their unbelief (v. 20). That kind of demon only responded to prayer and fasting. When we fast, it brings us into the dimension of the spirit world.

John Wesley wrote in his biography that he fasted twice a week because he wanted to be closer to Jesus. After I met Jesus, I started to fast on a regular basis, and my life was really transformed.

For me, fasting is extremely hard. I am a talkative person by nature. When I go to the mountains to spend a few days on my own with Jesus, the first thing I notice is that I become weak physically, so I talk less and listen more. I spend less time in prayer and more time in meditation and reading the Word. The presence of Jesus becomes very real.

If you are unable to fast due to medical reasons, you can still fast by giving up certain luxuries and spending time in prayer.

Fasting is a tough exercise, but it is an integral part of a Christian’s lifestyle. If Jesus found it essential to fast, then so much more for us. Fasting results in a complete cleansing of one’s life and ministry. It removes all the cobwebs and skeletons. Your life is highlighted, and you will be able to see how closely you walk with Jesus. Fasting gives you the opportunity to get back to God and enables you to see things with clarity.

PRAYER: God, please guide me as I make fasting part of my regular routine and speak to me in the silence. Amen.

The content for this devotional was adapted from "The Bible with Grassroots Reflections" by Angus Buchan © Christian Art Publishers.