John Barnett Supporter

I believe the reason they could not cast out the demon was not because that demon was more powerful but that the disciples faith was weak. He told them they needed to fast and pray because they needed to build their faith up. Remember the Lord said if we had faith as a grain of mustard seed we could tell the mountain to be cast into the sea. The name of Jesus is powerful enough to cast out any demon provided the person exercising that authority has the faith to believe it.

January 15 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would take Jesus to be indicating that there are ranks or orders of evil spirits (just as there are among angels), some of which are stronger or more powerful than others.

He was saying that expulsion of the particular type of evil spirit that the apostles had been trying to cast out of the child in the account cited in the question (which was not only powerful, but also had apparently been in the boy for a long time) required greater preparation, and a deeper or more profound faith and communion with God, than found in a mere statement (even one made in Christ's name).

This could be achieved only by spiritual discipline and dedication, as attained and reinforced by such practices as fasting and prayer -- not done as a show of piety, but as a means of achieving increased focus on and access to God and His greater power.

January 15 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Melissa Zon Supporter

Jesus meant that their unbelief comes out only by prayer and fasting.

January 17 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Sam Iam Supporter

We start praying with all of our strength. We wrestle back and forth. Finally, our hearts become still and we talk with God quietly, "Lord, I know that I cannot do this. But you CAN!" We leave it in the Lord's hands with childlike faith and don't take it back again. It is now in the hands of Him who created all things with just a spoken word.

July 18 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Mark 9:29: And he said unto them, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

Lord Jesus gave His disciples power against unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease, for the power that shall be given to them was by the Spirit of the Father, which would speak to them. (Mat 10:1,8,19,20) The scribes were disputing with the disciples as they could not cast out the unclean spirit from him who was brought by his father to them. When the Lord came to them, seeing the crowd, he asked them, “What question ye with them?” 

To hearken to the voice of God who speaketh to you, one needs to pray before casting out, for it is the Spirit of the Lord who will speak through you to cast out the unclean dumb and deaf spirit. Sometimes we fail to hearken and to discern in the right spirit when the Spirit of God speaks to us, and when being corrected the evil spirit takes control over our lives. Peter, who began to rebuke Jesus for not discerning in the right spirit was told, "Get behind me Satan, for thou art an offence unto me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Mat 16:23) 

Jesus was led by the spirt into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When he accomplished 40 days and nights being alone without food, Satan came to tempt him in His weakness as he hungered fasted and prayed. Then for every word Satan spoke to Him, He said, “It is written” every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Lord Jesus spent most of the time going to the mountain alone and praying to the Father who would guide Him as being born in the flesh, for he did have weakness in Him, knowing that He has to shed His blood for mankind, yet in His weakness He asked the Father if He could take this cup away from Him. 

1 Timothy 2:1: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

July 21 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report