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o) The Epileptic Boy Cured (Matthew 17:14-21)
MATTHEW 17:19-21
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 10:1; 21:21, Luke 17:6, 1 Corinthians 13:2)
Christian ministry may require that you be consistent in praying and fasting to free the demon-possessed. Fasting empties you from worldly worries and directs your thoughts towards heaven that you may continuously talk to your Lord with your innermost feeling. This prayer is effectual in this life and the life to come, as it believes that the name of Christ removes the sins from hearts and casts out evil spirits. If you put your hand in His, He will lead you to wonderful acts and untie, through your faith, the Satanic bonds that hold many captive.
No doubt that you are unable to move mountains using your own power. Neither Christ nor His apostles literally carried out this promise. They did not move mountains, for that would not be helpful to anybody. God’s love urges you to do modest services that the mountain of your pride might be moved and you might become a servant to the poor in the name and love of Christ. What is not possible for men is possible to God. He makes a new creature of you that you will act in harmony with His kindness and humility, and participate in the power of the Most Gracious through faith. The lowly can do what his Lord Jesus wants him to do, because the Almighty is not reluctant to dwell in his heart.
Fasting and prayer are proper means for the bringing down of Satan’s power against us and the acquiring of divine power to assist us. Fasting is of use to increase the fervency of our prayer. It is an evidence and instance of humiliation, which is necessary in prayer. It is a means of mortifying some corrupt habits and of preparing the body to serve the soul in prayer.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, We are the children of our age. Because of this, our faith is often weak and our love small. We turn to You asking You to free us from sinfulness and unbelief that we may hold fast to Your Son. We desire to be filled with love, to completely forgive our enemies, and do what You command for the salvation of those who live around us.
QUESTION:
- What is the secret of the flowing of God’s power into servants of Christ?