Believer's Secret of the Abiding Presence, The (The Andrew Murray devotional library) by Murray Andrew & Brother Lawrence

Author:Murray, Andrew & Brother Lawrence [Murray, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781441262127
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 1987-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Why Could We Not?

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith…. This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:19–21

The disciples had often cast out demons. But here they had been impotent. They asked the Lord what the reason might be. His answer is very simple: “Because of your little faith.”

We have here the reply to the great question so often asked. How is it that we cannot live that life of unbroken fellowship with Christ which the Scriptures promise? Simply because of our unbelief. We do not realize that faith must accept and expect that God will, by His almighty power, fulfill every promise He has made. We do not live in that utter helplessness and dependence on God alone which is the very essence of faith. We are not strong in the faith, fully persuaded that what God has promised He is able and willing to perform. We do not give ourselves with our whole heart simply to believe that God by His almighty power will work wonders in our hearts.

What can be the reason that this faith is so often lacking? Why does this kind not go out except by prayer and fasting? To have a strong faith in God demands a life in close touch with Him by persistent prayer. We cannot call up faith at our bidding; it requires close fellowship with God. It requires not only prayer but fasting, too, in the larger and deeper meaning of that word. It requires the denial of self, the sacrifice of that pleasing of the flesh and the eye and the pride of life, which is the essence of a worldly spirit. To gain the prizes of the heavenly life here on earth calls for the sacrifice of all that earth can offer. Just as it takes God to satisfy the human heart and work His mighty miracles in it, it takes the whole man utterly given up to God to have the power of that faith which can cast out every evil spirit. “Prayer and fasting” is essential.

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