“And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’” (Mark 9:28-29)
Perhaps there is an area in your life where you have sought a breakthrough, but it never seems to happen. You have read books, sought advice, and watched countless YouTube videos, yet this issue continues to hinder your relationship with the Lord. Similarly, the disciples sought to free a young man from bondage but could not do so. After Jesus intervened and set the young man free, the disciples asked about their inability to do it themselves.
Jesus explained that the disciples were too connected to the world and too disconnected from God. When unchecked, our flesh can dominate and rule our lives. This is why fasting is crucial to our walk with God. Fasting helps establish dominion and authority over our flesh. There will always be distractions aiming to disconnect us from the power God bestows upon us. Jesus emphasized that the young man's breakthrough demanded more than mere prayer. It necessitated both prayer and fasting.
As you prepare for this upcoming season of fasting, I encourage you to evaluate all areas in your life that disconnect or distract you from God's presence. These distractions can include social media, television, sports, video games, and even music. Are you willing to do what it takes to experience the breakthrough you seek? If so, consider letting go of these distractions for a period of 21 days and replace them with a sincere heart intent on knowing God more profoundly. I believe that if you commit to this, you will experience God's power in an unprecedented way.
Prayer - Heavenly Father, grant me the strength and discipline to disconnect from worldly distractions and draw closer to You through prayer and fasting. Help me seek Your presence sincerely and experience the breakthrough that only comes from You. Help me to remove anything that hinders my walk with You and to seek Your Word daily. Amen.
Reflection - What are some distractions in my life I need to plan to abstain from during my time of fasting? Write out some of those distractions and devise a game plan to remove them from your life for 21 days.
