Heart Matters: “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17: 20-21

A man who desperately needed his son to be healed had taken him to Jesus’ disciples to rid him of demon possession. When they failed, the man took his son directly to Jesus who healed him right away. However, it wasn’t lost on Jesus (nor the disciples) that they were unable to help the child. After Jesus healed him, the disciples went to Him privately to inquire about why they were unable to cast the demon out. (Verse 19). The above Scripture was Jesus’ response.

When we read this passage, we can clearly perceive that there is special power available when we fast. It seemingly ushers in the place where the super (God) intervenes in the natural (man) causing supernatural miracles, what we may have thought to be impossible, to occur. Most believers in Christ know that there are some circumstances in life which calls for us to fast.

Fasting can lead to healing, restoration, and deliverance. However, we mustn’t miss something very powerful Jesus is also speaking about in these Scriptures. “Because of your unbelief,” i.e., a lack of faith (you) failed. HE did not say they failed because they didn’t fast first. They did not have time for that! They failed because their faith was too small.

Have you ever tried to increase your faith on your own? Have you just tried to wish more faith for yourself into existence? How did that work out for you? You see faith is a gift from God. It comes from HIM!

These Scriptures contain such a profound message! Fasting ought to be a consistent part of our spiritual discipline! We never know when we may encounter an opportunity to pray for deliverance or healing for someone else. Will we have the faith to do so in that moment? Will our faith be such that it is equipped for the task at hand?

Jesus said “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” This kind-the kind of faith it takes to move mountains! It seems faith is the precursor to the moving of God’s supernatural power. We must first believe! The good news is that it is developed not only every time we encounter the LORD but we can also grow in it through prayer and fasting.

HEART TO HEART: Fast to grow in your faith so that when the time comes, your ability to believe Jesus will be great!