The Stubborn Demon Jesus Cast Out: Prayer, Fasting, and Faith

Hello, welcome to another message.

Today, I’m going to be talking about the stubborn demon that Jesus cast out which the apostles were not able to cast out. We’re going to look at some lessons from this scripture and pick out divine secrets about prayer, fasting, faith, and walking with God.

Matthew 17:14–21

A Boy Is Healed

“When they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.’

Then Jesus answered and said, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.’

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’

So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”

Faith and Prayer Work Together

One thing we notice immediately from this scripture is that Jesus called them a “faithless generation.” Later, He also said, “Because of your unbelief.”

But at the end, Jesus added something important:

“This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

So what does this show us?

It shows that faith, prayer, fasting, holiness, obedience, and the power of God all work together. You cannot take one part of the scripture and ignore the rest.

Many people focus only on faith and confession while neglecting prayer, fasting, holiness, and fellowship with God. But Jesus did not separate them. He tied everything together.

Prayer Has Many Components

Prayer is not just saying words.

There are many elements connected to effective prayer:

• Faith
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Holiness
• Obedience
• The anointing
• The glory of God
• Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
• Persistence
• Humility
• Love

Jesus mentioned both faith and prayer and fasting. That means all of them matter.

Faith Is an Armor

Faith is important.

The Bible says:

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

But faith is not meant to stand alone.

Faith is an armor you carry into battle. Prayer is where the battle happens.

Some people spend years reading only about faith and confession but never develop a deep prayer life or relationship with God. They confess continually but are not seeing transformation, power, or victory.

The disciples themselves asked Jesus:

“Why could we not cast it out?”

That is a powerful question.

When something is not working in your spiritual life, ask God why. Don’t continue repeating the same thing without seeking understanding.

The Lord Gives Secrets to Those Who Fear Him

There are divine secrets in the kingdom of God.

The Word of God says that God reveals His secrets and covenant to those who fear Him.

There was a time the Lord showed me a vision of a huge key made of light after long hours of prayer, worship, and seeking Him. That key represented spiritual secrets and understanding.

These are the keys that help believers walk in victory and attract the presence and glory of God.

Put On the Complete Armor of God

Many believers focus on only one part of the Christian walk while neglecting the rest.

But the Bible tells us to put on the complete armor of God.

That includes:

• Faith
• Truth
• Righteousness
• Salvation
• The Word of God
• Prayer

You cannot ignore holiness and obedience while expecting spiritual authority.

Sin weakens spiritual power.

The Bible says sin hinders prayer.

Faith Without Obedience Is Dead

The Bible says:

“Faith without works is dead.”

It also says:

“Faith works by love.”

That means living faith produces action, obedience, and transformation.

You cannot claim to have faith while refusing to obey God.

Jesus Himself said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Jesus Paid the Price

Why was Jesus able to cast out the demon?

Because He had already paid the price in prayer, fasting, obedience, holiness, and communion with the Father.

Jesus often went to lonely places to pray.

He spent nights in prayer.

He constantly walked in the will of the Father.

He said:

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.”

So when the demon appeared, Jesus already carried the presence, authority, glory, and power of God.

That is why He could command the demon and it obeyed.

The Anointing Matters

The anointing and the glory of God are real.

Jesus ministered with power because He walked closely with the Father.

Prayer and fasting help position a believer to receive spiritual strength and sensitivity to God.

This is why Jesus said:

“This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

The Difference Between Dead Faith and Living Faith

There is dead faith and there is living faith.

Living faith produces:

• The fruits of the Spirit
• Obedience
• Holiness
• Spiritual growth
• Fellowship with God
• Transformation
• Spiritual sensitivity

If someone constantly talks about faith but there is no evidence of spiritual life, no intimacy with God, and no transformation, then something is missing.

Faith should produce fruit.

The Importance of the Holy Spirit

You need the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

So pray for:

• The presence of God
• The power of God
• Spiritual gifts
• Wisdom
• Discernment
• Guidance
• Strength

Do not throw away petition prayer.

Ask God for help.

Ask God for direction.

Ask God for deliverance.

Jesus Himself taught us to pray:

“Deliver us from evil.”

Learn From Jesus

Jesus did not just decree things randomly.

He lived a life of obedience, prayer, holiness, sacrifice, and fellowship with the Father.

Then He ministered from a place of spiritual authority.

There is no shortcut in the kingdom of God.

If you want victory, you must walk the way Jesus walked.

The Seven Sons of Sceva

The story of the seven sons of Sceva is another warning.

They tried to cast out demons without true spiritual authority.

The demon replied:

“Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”

Paul had paid the price.

Jesus had paid the price.

Spiritual authority comes from relationship with God, obedience, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Be Balanced Spiritually

Do not throw away any part of the Word of God.

Faith matters.

Prayer matters.

Fasting matters.

Love matters.

Holiness matters.

Obedience matters.

The Holy Spirit matters.

The Bible says:

“Faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is love.”

Everything works together.

Seek God Deeply

Spend time in the presence of God.

Pray continually.

Worship Him.

Thank Him for salvation.

Seek His face.

Pray sincerely from your heart.

Crave spiritual gifts.

Wait upon the Lord.

Grow spiritually.

Prayer is a journey.

As you continue seeking God, He transforms you from glory to glory.

Final Encouragement

Do not look for shortcuts.

Do not try to jump to the end without walking the path God established.

Walk with God daily.

Keep your hands clean.

Live in obedience.

Stay humble.

Stay prayerful.

Stay faithful.

And let God Himself teach you His secrets.

Prayer

May the Lord give you wisdom to walk in His will.

May the Lord reveal His covenant and secrets to you.

May He teach you how to pray effectively.

May you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly.

May the Lord fill you with His presence, power, and glory.

May He strengthen your faith and help you walk in holiness and obedience.

May the Lord deliver you from every affliction and lead you into victory.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed day.

Related Images: