All In Daily Devotional March 2: The Power of Prayer and Fasting

 First Redeemer Church

The Power of Prayer and Fasting

 

“When they came to the disciples they saw a large crowd around them and scribes disputing with them. All of a sudden, when the whole crowd saw Him, they were amazed and ran to greet Him. Then He asked them, ‘What are you arguing with them about?’  Out of the crowd, one man answered Him, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.’ He replied to them, ‘You unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you?  Bring him to Me.’ So they brought him to Him. When the spirit saw Him, it immediately convulsed the boy. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ Jesus asked his father. ‘From childhood,’ he said. ‘And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘If You can? Everything is possible to the one who believes.’  Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do believe!  Help my unbelief.’  When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly coming together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You mute and deaf spirit I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!’ Then it came out, shrieking and convulsing him violently. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, ‘He’s dead.’  But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. After He went into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we     drive it out?’ And He told them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [and fasting].’” Mark 9:14-29

 

We need God. We are desperate without Him. From the inside out, we long for something greater than ourselves. It is a reminder that we must not stop craving this side of eternity – less of us and more of Him. God has given us ways to run to Him for this because He is good to us like that.  

 

It is beautiful because we stumble without Him. We doubt and wander, shortsighted and inadequate. In our own efforts, we are unlovely. We are so clearly human and very short of perfect. It repeatedly drives us to His feet to open our hands, empty ourselves, and acknowledge our great needs. 

 

God can accomplish much in and through this heart posture. This is how we serve Him best and follow Him well. His power is beyond our own, and it is the kind of power we run to and rest in.  It is the kind of power that makes a way for Him to do what only He can. It is the kind of power that reminds us that He is God and we are not. 

 

So we lay ourselves down again and again. 

 

We spend time.  

We read His Word. 

We fast.  

We pray.

 

What a gift God has granted in these things. He did not leave boxes to check or lists to accomplish. He gave us, rather, an invitation to a relationship, time to spend, and habits to train our wandering hearts. Oh, how we need them. They bring a continued sense of dependence, incline our hearts, and empty us of ourselves. In these things, we see clearly how great our need is and how mighty our God is. There we stand in what only He can do and let go of all we think He cannot. His invitation to abide is ours to bask in. We have a purpose greater than ourselves and much to accomplish for His glory. 

 

There is power in yielding ourselves. It is a power beyond our own. 

 

He alone is God. Let’s throw up our hands and fall at His feet once more. We have heard it said that all things are possible to Him who believes and that nothing is impossible for God. 

 

We believe, God.  

Help our unbelief. 

 

We’re All In. 

 

 

o   We confess our tendency to rely on ourselves and ask you to drive us to your feet again and again.

o   Help us yield there completely and trust you to do what only you can.

o   We praise you for your plan that is so much bigger than we are and thank you for your continued willingness to work in our lives. 

o   Forgive us for focusing on our unbelief and help us follow you in faith.