Prophets: Prayer and Fasting
IntroductionIn Mark 9:29 from the King James Version (KJV) We are told that a certain parent brought his son to the disciples so that they could cast out a demon that was torturing his child but the disciples failed lamentably. So, the man brought the child to Jesus Christ and He cast out the demon and the child was set free. Later the disciples asked Jesus why they failed to cast the demon. Jesus answered them: "This kind of demon comes out only by prayer and fasting".
1.Prayer and Fasting played a very important role in the life of Jesus
At every pivotal moment in the life of Christ, He found time to pray. In Mark 1:35, we are told that "very early in the morning before daybreak, Jesus went into a solitary place to pray." Praying was His lifestyle. Jesus prayed and fasted just before He started His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). He prayed before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12). He prayed just before He was crucified (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus prayed at the cross of Calvary (Luke 23:34).
2.The Church was born out of Prayer and Fasting
Before the Church was born, the disciples gathered in the upper room to pray and then in response God poured Out His Holy Spirit upon them in (Acts 2:1-13). Hence forth the Church was born.
3.The Church was sustained by Prayer and Fasting
The early Christians were in danger from the word go, but God sustained them in and through prayer and fasting.
4.Prayer and Fasting played an important part in the Early Church
"While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them". So. after they had fasted, they placed their hands on them and sent them off'' (Acts 13:2-3).
Conclusion
Do you pray and fast? When is the last time you prayed and fasted? Is prayer and fasting the forgotten discipline in the UPCSA? Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer. So, Child of God, pray and fast.
| In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts13:1-3) |
(Rev Allan Mchulu is a Minister at Kabwata Presbyterian Church based in Lusaka Zambia. He is married to Jessy Mwanda Mchulu and together have two daughters Deborah and Natasha. In his spare time he loves to read and to watch soccer.)
