Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (KJV)

Is fasting and praying your religion or your lifestyle?

You can choose to live a mediocre life in Christ, or you can choose to live a powerful one. There is a cost for a powerful life in Christ. The cost dedicated time spent in prayer and fasting. Please keep in mind, you don’t determine the level of God’s power that works in you, no matter how much you pray and fast; God does. He gives you what you need based on your relationship with Him and the assignment He has given you. Jesus explained this principle to the disciples. 

Matthew 17:19-20 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (AMP)

In order to be used by God to heal certain sickness and cast out persistent and horrible demons; you need to build your relationship with the Father, and you need faith, developed through much prayer and fasting. 

Jude 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; (AMPC)

Yes, you fast when you are sleeping; that cannot be the only time. Also, you should fast more than once a week/month or whatever the church schedule dictates. 

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]. (AMPC)

Luke 18:11-12 The religious leader stood apart from the others and prayed, “How I thank you, O God, that I’m not wicked like everyone else. They’re cheaters, swindlers, and crooks—like that tax collector over there. God, you know that I never cheat or commit adultery; I fast from food twice a week and I give you a tenth of all I earn”. (TPT)

You have to pray more than a couple of minutes before you fall asleep and couple more when you wake up. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV)

This is the point where you decide if you are going to have a lifestyle, not just a religion, of prayer and fasting. You must have personal communion with the Father, and a discipline of fasting the Lord has called you to, not religious practices. 

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I thank You because fasting and praying are not just something I do; they are both a part of who I am. I repent for the times when I only fasted when instructed, and I only prayed when I was in distress. I know I need to crucify my flesh. I know I have to deny what I want. When I do, I can hear what You want. I thank You for correcting me and teaching me. My prayer time is no longer a laundry list of things I want You to take care of. Now it is a peaceful time of waiting and listening to hear Your voice. I want to know what You desire of me and from me. I thank You because though I can set aside time to spend with You, I cannot schedule every precious and powerful moment. I have to be sensitive to You summoning me. I am grateful You call me to You. I am honored You create those moments. Help me to always respond with willing obedience and anticipation. Thank You for our time together…

Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: