THE PLACE OF FASTING AND PRAYING
"SO He said to them, “THIS KIND CAN COME OUT BY NOTHING BUT PRAYER AND FASTING.”
Mark 9:29 (NKJV)
Comment: There is always a price to be paid in order to walk in the miraculous. If you want God to use you for signs and wonders, use you to meet the needs of others, you should be ready to pay a price. The Anointing for signs and wonders requires consistent fasting and praying. The disciples of Christ Jesus was asking Him why they could not, or what made them not to, be able to cast the demon in the young boy out. In Jesus' answer He talked about two things:
a. their lack of faith (Mark 9:19),
b. their inability to fast and pray often (Mark 9:29).
Believers' salvation is free because Jesus Christ had already paid the price for that; but to experience signs and wonders in your assignment or ministry, you would have to give yourself to fasting and praying (Acts 9:9; 13:23; 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27).
Casting out of demons without stress or struggling with the demons; you should pay attention to fasting and praying and the living by the principles of the Word of God, the Bible—living a holy life (1 Peter 1:15,16).
Some young people attempted to mimic or copy Apostle Paul when they saw signs and wonders in his ministry; how demons were cast out with ease—without any stress. But they got more than what they bargained for:
11 NOW GOD WORKED UNUSUAL MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF PAUL, 12 SO THAT EVEN HANDKERCHIEFS OR APRONS WERE BROUGHT FROM HIS BODY TO THE SICK, AND THE DISEASES LEFT THEM AND THE EVIL SPIRITS WENT OUT OF THEM. 13 THEN SOME OF THE ITINERANT JEWISH EXORCISTS TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO CALL THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS OVER THOSE WHO HAD EVIL SPIRITS, SAYING, “WE EXORCISE YOU BY THE JESUS WHOM PAUL PREACHES.” 14 ALSO THERE WERE SEVEN SONS OF SCEVA, A JEWISH CHIEF PRIEST, WHO DID SO. 15 AND THE EVIL SPIRIT ANSWERED and SAID, “JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YOU?” 16 THEN THE MAN IN WHOM THE EVIL SPIRIT WAS LEAPED ON THEM, OVERPOWERED THEM, AND PREVAILED AGAINST THEM, SO THAT THEY FLED OUT OF THAT HOUSE NAKED AND WOUNDED" (Acts 19:11-16 NKJV).
If you are not living right or walking in holiness or in the light of the Word of God in addition with fasting and praying, do not attempt to confront demons. Although you may not be attacked If you are dealing with a lesser demon but dealing with some demons that higher in hierarchy requires a level of consecration and commitment in your walk with God. That is what Jesus Christ was trying to teach the Disciples when they did ask why they could not cast out a particular demon they were struggling with (Mark 9:14-27).
A believer, especially whoever is working at the altar or God's vineyard, should live a consecrated life. I have heard of some so-called believers or ministers who go about fooling around, living in immorality, but it is a pity that such people are doing that at the detriment of their souls. They put their lives in jeopardy when they do that, except they are not engaged or fully involved in whatever work of ministry they claimed to be doing. You cannot be walking in sins and want to cast out demons, you would look like a joker in the sight of the devil. In fact, the devil or demons you confronted can sniff life out of you. Those sons of Sceva narrowly escaped from the demonic man. The demon said, who are they. He could have killed them If they did run out of the house, even with that, the Scripture says they were wounded (Acts 19:11-16).
Are you living right? Whoever is working for God should live right and holy: "NEVERTHELESS THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDS, HAVING THIS SEAL: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” AND, "LET EVERYONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF CHRIST depart FROM INIQUITY" (2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV).
Peace.