Is fasting or praying important in exorcising spirits? Can some be cast out without fasting while others cannot?
As Jesus Christ is our chief example and we are exhorted to follow Him, we should consider that the Bible repeatedly says Christ fasted often. I personally believe that fasting is a source of spiritual strength and power.
Just before Christ's triumphant entry into His public ministry, He fasted for forty days. It seems that our Master fasted before the major experiences in His life.
For us today, it is very important to fast, especially before seeking to cast out some evil spirits.
We are taught that there are varying powers of demonic force in the spirit world. After casting out the epileptic spirit from the boy who had thrown himself in the fire and into the water, Christ told His disciples that they could not cast it out because this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21). Therefore it is sure that there are certain spirits who will resist until one has prepared himself for spiritual encounter.
Personally, every great victory I have experienced in the casting forth of spirits has been after a time of fasting and prayer. For instance, I remember the girl in the Philippines, Clarita Villanueva, who was bitten by devils. I refused to minister to her until I had spent time before God fasting and praying. I went to see the mayor of Manila and also the head doctor of Bilibid Prison to get permission to pray for her, then set a subsequent date to return and pray for her. I felt that I needed time in fasting and prayer before ministering to her. It became evident that the spirit would not have moved had I not spent this time in prayer before God with fasting.
Also, there was the case of the boy in Manila called the "Invisible Boy," who mysteriously appeared and disappeared. I fasted for him, beseeching God to relieve him of this awful spirit. He remains free until this day.
As a final example, there was Mr. Go Puan Seng, a Chinese friend who owns a newspaper in Manila. He asked me to pray for his daughter who was suffering from an evil spirit. I told him that I would fast and pray for two days before going to his house. When we prayed for God to set her free, she was immediately released from the devil's power.
In my own experience I have found it imperative to fast and pray before seeking to set a person free from demon power.
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