The Importance of Faith, Prayer, and Fasting in Overcoming Life’s Challenges
One common misconception about Christian fasting, particularly in reference to Old Testament practices, is that it no longer holds relevance today or is not a commandment for modern believers. Some use this misunderstanding as a reason to bypass the spiritual discipline of fasting, yet such an approach overlooks its vital role in the Christian life.
In the ancient town of Capernaum, a father approached Jesus with a heart full of hope and sorrow. His son, plagued by severe epilepsy, had not found healing even after the disciples tried and failed to help him. With unwavering faith, the father turned to Jesus, believing that only He could restore his son’s health.
Jesus responded to His disciples, saying, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). Jesus demonstrated that even the smallest measure of true faith is powerful enough to bring about miraculous results.
He then revealed something essential: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). In this statement, Jesus illuminated the need for spiritual discipline in facing specific challenges, making it clear that certain trials require not just prayer, but also fasting to draw closer to God’s power and intervention.
This moment took place right after Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain, where His divine glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John. As His face shone like the sun and His clothes became radiant, Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 17:5). Following this powerful experience, Jesus descended with His disciples to find a crowd gathered, and a grieving father who sought healing for his son.
The father shared the boy’s tragic history, recounting how the spirit often threw him into dangerous situations, attempting to destroy him. He pleaded, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us” (Mark 9:21-22). Jesus responded, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). The father, deeply moved, cried out, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
In that moment, Jesus, moved by both authority and compassion, commanded the unclean spirit to depart, and the boy was immediately healed. The crowd stood in awe of the power and mercy displayed before them. Through the intersection of the father’s faith and God’s miraculous power, healing and restoration came to the boy.
Later, the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast him out?” (Matthew 17:19). Jesus explained, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). He further stressed the significance of prayer and fasting: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).
Through this experience, Jesus underscored the power of faith, prayer, and fasting in strengthening spiritual resolve and deepening one’s connection with God. The disciples came to understand that true faith, no matter how small, combined with the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting, had the power to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. Jesus showed that with steadfast faith and devotion, believers could unlock God’s limitless power and face any challenge, no matter how daunting.
As the disciples continued their journey, they applied these teachings in their ministry, witnessing miracles, healings, and divine interventions, all fueled by their deep faith and connection to God.
“The spirit of man rises when the mind and heart unite, for the belly is a great obedient servant.”