The Christian life is fundamentally rooted in understanding God’s goodness and the transformative power of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
While the Bible is filled with beautiful promises, it’s crucial to recognize that our relationship with God is built on love, not burdened by unfruitful works.
Among the devotional practices observed by believers, fasting holds a significant place alongside prayer.
These practices, along with preaching and studying God’s Word, were integral to the early church and continue to be vital in our lives.
However, a question often arises: Does fasting truly endow believers with greater spiritual power?
Today, we will look carefully into the scriptures and understand if there is any relation between fasting and power.
MEANING OF MARK 9 VS 28 – 29
Mark 9 vs 28 – 29 reads: And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, this kind come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.
This passage of scripture above has made many to think that except they fast and pray for certain “hard circumstances” nothing will happen but is this true?
In the context of the scriptures here, the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon and so when they met Jesus he answered by saying that “this kind” cannot come forth except by “fasting” and prayer.
So, most believers think that casting out “powerful demons” will require them to fast for many days and weeks. They believe this gives them more power to cast out the powerful demon.
However, it is important to note that most modern original manuscripts used for bible translation for the above opening text don’t have “fasting” as part of it.
For example, the NIV, ESV, NLT, ASV, and others don’t have “fasting” in them.
Again, in the account of Matthew 17:21, most of these bible translations don’t have verse 21 which talks about “fasting”.
What does this tell us? This means that it was religiously added by the translators of the KJV of the Bible.
Theologians say that though the KJV is older, the manuscript used for their translation is not the oldest.
It is believed that the older the manuscript, the more accurate it should be. Therefore, it will not be safe to form a doctrine on a debatable Bible text.
In addition, we don’t have any corroborative text in the epistles associating fasting with the power to cast out demons.
NEW TESTAMENT PRAYER WITH POWER
In the New Testament, all the power the believer will need for everything in Life is already inherent in the believer, this comes with the new birth.
It is through knowledge and prayer that the believer can express this power he has on the inside.
Jesus said; “these signs shall follow that that believe in my name they shall cast out devils” – Mark 16 vs 17.
Casting out devils, healing the sick, and setting the oppressed free all come by the expression of God’s power in the believer.
However, many people interpret Mark 9 vs 28 – 29 to teach that one has to fast to receive power to cast out demons, and to express God’s power it must be through fasting.
But you wouldn’t find such teaching in the Bible, instead, in the epistles, prayer, and faith were emphasized and this also was emphasized by Christ himself.
There is no teaching in Christ that requires fasting to get power.
The power and authority to cast out demons is in the knowledge of your identity in Christ and prayer not in fasting.
It is an error to fast to get what is already available for you in Christ.
In prayer, we exercise our authority and develop boldness to express the power of God in us. We don’t fast for power.
It is also not wrong to deny yourself food or anything that has the potential to distract you to focus on prayer and meditation.
When we decide to fast, we do so to help ourselves gain focus to pray but not to make the prayer answered faster or to get power, this is biblical fasting.
See the following scriptures for reference;
Luke 10:19 – I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Ephesians 3:20 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Matthew 10:1 – Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Read also Ephesians 1:15-21.
The New Living Translation of James 5 vs 16 reads: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
A believer is righteous because he has been made the righteousness of God in Christ therefore, when we pray, we release great power that can produce wonderful results and change circumstances.
Finally, fasting does not influence God to give you anything because it is God’s nature to always give – James calls him the giving God that giveth to all men liberally or generously without looking for fault – James 1 vs 5.
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
- Justification vs Righteousness - September 9, 2025
- What is Justification by Faith? - September 9, 2025
- What does it mean to be strong in the Lord - December 2, 2024