Did Jesus really say “but this type comes out by just prayer”? Many scholars disagree.

Did Jesus really say “prayer AND fasting”? Many scholars debate.

Does this mean you can ask for anything you want and God will provide the wishes of your words like some magical spell or magic lamp? Of course not!

What is Jesus saying here?

Well, lets first address the controversies between Mark 9:29 and Matthew 17:21. Is verse 21 really in the original or was it copied from Mark? Personally, I personally don’t care. I think it’s a pointless debate. All of the gospels record eye witness accounts from different angles, some expanding on this, others on that. The truth is found across all of the gospels. Since Mark says ONLY “prayer” or “prayer and fasting”, obviously it is true whether we include that phrase in Matthew or not.

So is it prayer and fasting or just prayer? Well, the question is perhaps the problem. Following Christ is not a “system” of do’s and don’ts. Following Christ is not about getting the “process” right. That is the stuff of witchcraft. True followers of Christ seek to have the HEART right. True followers concentrate on motive over manner. There is not some set of words or set of actions or some process that God waits for us to do properly. We simply give our hearts to God, submit to the leadership of Jesus in our daily lives, and listen to the Holy Spirit in every situation to guide us. Trying to figure out if this “thing” requires prayer only or prayer and fasting is heading down the wrong road when proper procedure becomes the focus of our walk.

OK, so then was the problem here, the reason the disciples failed to cast out the demon, “your faith is too small” or “you need to pray (and fast)”? That’s a great question. It “seems” a contradiction here in Matthew, and every time we run into what seems a contradiction, our eyes are in the wrong place. Remember, mark says ONLY prayer (and fasting) while Matthew says faith too small BUT also prayer (and fasting). SO which is it? The answer, I believe, is BOTH. Matthew included more detail than Mark, but they both says the SAME THING!

Prayer and fasting build faith. Problem solved! If we add “unceasing prayer” and “fasting” to our daily lives, then we build faith that can move mountains! It is the attitude of walking in prayer, every moment of every day staying in touch with our Father that brings faith. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become like Him! The stronger our faith becomes. Fasting increases this by building control over the desires of the flesh, by putting spirit over body as the central control over our lives. By suppressing the evil selfish desires of the flesh within us and expressing the desires of the spirit.

The church today seems mostly powerless. Just as these disciples were when they asked Jesus, “why can’t we do that”. They lacked faith because they lacked an attitude of submission and prayer that builds faith. When we “go to church” or when we “stop to pray” we have already missed it! Prayer is not something we “do”, it is an attitude we live in! Are you praying, communing with God in every situation throughout your day? Wherever you are? Or do you “set aside” that part of life to do this or that, enjoy this or that, to relax just a bit. Wait… RELAX? How can anyone relax outside of the presence of our Father, the Holy Creator whom we were made to serve?

If you find yourself in any moment inside a situation where you don’t feel comfortable praying out loud, you have stepped outside of God’s presence and lost touch with the power and righteousness of God. Just like the disciples did here, and their prayers were not answered.

Wait… “prayers were not answered” because “not in an attitude of prayer”? how can one pray without being in an attitude of prayer? EXACTLY! That is what Jesus is saying here! Only when we LIVE in an attitude of prayer, communing with our Savior and Father, seeking His heart and will in EVERY situation, EVERY aspect of life, only then are our prayers heard.