This Can Only be Done by Prayer

Mark 9:29 ESV

“And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

We have some manuscripts that say, “by prayer and fasting,” but the oldest manuscripts only say, “by prayer.” So, what was Jesus telling His disciples? Praying is not a session on asking God for stuff. Prayer is time that we spend with God communing with God, having a conversation with God. We speak and He listens, He speaks, and we should listen. We listen to what He is saying to our spirit. We listen to what He is saying in His words to us.

Prayer is not changing God’s mind; it is designed to change us. Especially in cases like this passage, where Jesus’ followers are expected to use the power of God to rebuke demons. We need prayer to maintain and strengthen our relationship with God. We need time in prayer for God to ready our spirits for all things. This power is not automatic, it comes through a continual relationship with Jesus Christ.

When we are in a relationship with Jesus, it has to be continuous and ever increasing in love and trust. We trust Him, and hopefully He can trust us in all things.

In prayer, we get to know what God wants, yes, but we also get to know His nature, His characteristics, His likes and dislikes. Then when it comes time for us to do a work for Him, with His power within us, we can do mighty things for God. Do not think that just because we are called Christians that is good enough to overcome evil. These situations come by dedication and in our communication with God.

Prayer:

Lord, prepare me for the days, weeks, months and years ahead of me. As I face challenges and even evil forces, I never want to combat these in my own power, but in the power of Your Holy Spirit within me. This only comes by dedication to You and strict communication with You. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!