DEALING WITH STUBBORN CASES

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi

Mark 9:29NKJV “ He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.”

 In this scripture Jesus Christ made it abundantly clear that fasting is a requirement in dealing with stubborn cases.  In Mark 9:23 NIV He said "Everything is possible for him who believes." Therefore, all that is needed to receive a miracle from God is that we believe He is trustworthy enough.

     Fasting positions us to receive breakthroughs. It is an act of faith and a demonstration of one’s resolve to make the necessary changes required to receive a breakthrough. It isn’t wrong to ask God for a thing. Even if it is God’s purpose, we still need to ask to receive(Mt7:7).As Christians, we have desires and God is obligated to meet those desires, if we believe (Mk 11:23-24) The scriptures says in  Ps 81:10 KJV  “I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Our responsibility is in the opening of the mouth and God’s part is the filling. Asking is a critical part of prayer. It is an acknowledgment of our humility and dependence on God. The scripture highlights this in Mark 10:51 KJV “And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight” Jesus knew that it was His purpose to heal the blind and yet He waited for this blind man to ask before healing him.

        Presumptuousness is a hindrance to breakthrough, Job experienced this first hand. He presumed that God already knew what his problems were and therefore, there wasn’t any need to pray, he presumptuously waited for God’s purpose to fulfill itself just as a many Christians do and have suffered terrible losses. In the beginning, the heavens and earth were without form and void until God spoke. Therefore, it was  Job’s presumptuousness and arrogance that were behind the crisis he suffered ; the scriptures says in   Job 36:8-9 AMP”And if they are bound in fetters [of adversity] and held by cords of affliction, Then He shows to them [the true character of] their deeds and their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and self-sufficiency].” Job was too full of himself due to his worldly academic knowledge and paid dearly for it; he was bound with fetters of adversity until he repented of it (Job42:1-6). Being lazy to pray is disastrous  (Job13:19 ) fasting cures laziness and pride.  

     Bible- based fasting is the cure to arrogance, self-sufficiency and presumptuousness which is the bane of many a Christian’s woes. It isn’t only about abstinence from bodily pleasures but according to scriptures Isa 58:6-9 it is: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts , sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.  Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once.  Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'

As you make Jesus your lord and read this now, receive grace for the turning around of every stubborn situation in your life in Jesus name.

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