21 Days of Fasting and Prayer Devotional: Mountains Will Move!Намуна

Day 2: Depending on God Through Prayer and Fasting

One of the most stunning statements about the significance of fasting comes from the mouth of Jesus in Mark chapter nine. The scene is a chaotic spectacle of finger-pointing and frustration. A weary father had brought his demon tormented son to Jesus’ disciples only to be disappointed by the absence of the power they were proclaiming. It’s in this moment of confusion that Jesus shows up not only with supernatural authority but also with spiritual instruction.

Mark tells us that after the boy was delivered, “[Jesus’] disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28b-29)

Most translations make a note in the margin that only some manuscripts of the New Testament include “fasting,” but as biblical scholar, Alan Cole notes, “There is some good… evidence for the addition of prayer and fasting at this point.” The fact of the matter is this passage is all about dependence on God, and there is nothing like fasting to call our attention to our need for God. Jesus is calling the disciples to a place of greater spiritual dependence.

During these 21 days, one of the best things that will happen is that you will become more and more aware of your absolute dependence on God. No matter who you are, you cannot do what God has called and created you to do without His empowering presence!