21 DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER 20

HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

As we near the end of our fasting and prayer, I know that many burdens are lifted and many things have happened on your behalf during the last few days. We have poured out our hearts before the Lord and believe that all requests made were answered. This is your time and moment to shine. Prepare to arise and take the mantle and go with the message.

A recent study was conducted by a car insurance company revealing that the average person drives over 250 extra miles every year due to being lost. This is primarily the result of being too stubborn to ask for help and instead, attempting to figure out the way ourselves. The reality is when we refuse to ask for help, 10 miles in the wrong direction results in a 20-mile misstep once we backtrack and return to the right route. Not only can we get lost while on a journey physically, but the truth is we can often be unsure of where we are to go spiritually. Whether it is navigating problems in life, needing wisdom in a situation, or activating our faith to believe in God for more, if we are not careful, we can find ourselves stubbornly depending on our own strength and limited knowledge instead of asking for guidance.

In Mark 9:14-29 we find the disciples in a similar situation. Jesus had sent the disciples with His authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, and preach the message of repentance. The disciples were successful at the outset of their mission but then encounter a demon they are unable to remove from its control on a young boy. They had commanded demons to leave before, so why was this child different?

The disciples did not lack authority; the object of their dependence had shifted. They began to operate in their own limited power instead of God’s supernatural power. An increase in God’s power, His presence, and His authority in our lives is not a one-and-done event. It is a daily filling. Each day we need to stop and ask for supernatural direction from God and be re-filled with His presence.

One of the primary benefits of fasting and prayer is that it increases our dependence on God. It boosts our faith to believe that anything is possible and gives us the power to activate the authority that God has promised us. Be encouraged that God’s empowering presence is available to you and He is able to overcome any situation when we depend on Him!

Scriptures

Mark 6:6-13 

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. ⁷ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; ⁸ And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: ⁹ But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. ¹⁰ And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. ¹¹ And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. ¹² And they went out, and preached that men should repent. ¹³ And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Mark 9:14-29

 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. ¹⁵ And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.¹⁶ And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? ¹⁷ And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; ¹⁸ And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. ¹⁹ He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. ²⁰ And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. ²¹ And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. ²² And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. ²³ Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. ²⁴ And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. ²⁶ And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. ²⁸ And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? ²⁹ And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.