Think Fast 

Wednesday 17th July 2024

Apologies for the title of this blog: Think Fast...

I don't like it.

I don't like having to think fast.
I much prefer time to consider, reflect, explore, ponder.
I don't know about you but having to make lots of quick, snap decisions is something I find quite stressful and exhausting.
I know there are times it's unavoidable, but it's really not my favourite thing.

And yet, I am aware I need to learn to think: fast more and more.

Let me tell you want I mean...
 

The Boy in the Valley

There was a time when Jesus had headed up the mountain, taking the inner circle of Peter, James and John with Him.

And so the other nine disciples were left waiting in the small town of Bethsaida. 

One day a man rushes over to them. His pace is urgent, his eyes pleading, his voice desperate.
He walks over clutching the hand of a small child who is clearly deeply disturbed.
The child cowers in an anxious silence - his wide fear-filled eyes not making contact with theirs.

On the boy's face and arms there are multiple scars - burn marks, some old and some new.  

The father explains: "My boy is possessed by an evil spirit - it throws him into convulsions and he cries out in absolute terror. He arms thrash around him as his whole body shakes, the foam pouring from his lips." 

The father pauses, gathering strength to muster the words he needs to share next... "Sometimes the evil spirit drives him running into the water, or even into flames. I don't know what to do. Please. Please - you've got to help me. Drive out this demon, send it away. Please. Please - help him." 

Meeting this terrified child and his tortured father, the disciples are deeply moved.
You couldn't not be moved. 

Nervously they agree to help. 

They start to pray as they have seen Jesus do so many times before.
They try their best.
They try, and they try, and they try.
They try everything they know to try.
But nothing.

No deliverance.
No freedom.
No healing.

The disappointment is tangible.
The failure is a crippling blow to their faith.

Just then there is a sound outside. People have spotted Jesus coming back down the mountains, and a crowd are quickly assembling to welcome him. 

The father doesn't miss a beat. He lifts the boy into his arms and makes for Jesus with whatever strength is left in his body.

Jesus hears the whole story, and beckons the boy to him.

Suddenly an inhuman shrieks pierces the air. The evil spirit won't go without a fight. But in Jesus, he has more than met his match. The boy is thrown to the ground and begins convulsing once again. The father looks on, his soul crushed. But Jesus steps forward: "I command you - come out of him now, never to return!"

The shrieks stop immediately.
The boy lies still.
A eerie silence falls on the town.

The father drops to his knees, his trembling hands covering his mouth - watching, waiting, longing, fearing.

Someone whispers in the crowd: "Dead. He's dead." This fear spreads quickly through the crowd.

But Jesus walks over to the boy, takes him by the hand and helps him to his feet.
Smiling, He leads the child back to his father.

Joy!
Freedom!
Wonder!
 
Later that day, Jesus and the disciples are alone: "Jesus," one of them asks, "Why is it that we couldn't drive this demon out?" 
Jesus explains: "This kind of spirit can be cast out only by prayer and fasting..." 

They needed to think: fast. 
 

The Power of Fasting

...only by prayer and fasting...

What an incredible encounter.
The power of Jesus. 
The authority.
The kindness.
The care.

But the story also underlines a truth: the power of prayer... the power of prayer and fasting.

I don't pretend to fully understand it - but it seems that fasting provides the power required to deal with spiritual forces that prayer alone can't.

Now there's an obvious challenge in this story: Jesus says: "This kind can only come out through prayer and fasting..." but Jesus doesn't do either.

He doesn't pray.
He simply addresses the evil spirit in His own authority.

And He doesn't fast. There wasn't time.
He had only just met the boy and his father, He has only just returned from the mountain.
 
So, what does Jesus mean?

I presume the kind of prayer and fasting Jesus has in mind has already taken place. Jesus' prayer life, which included fasting, clearly fueled Him so that He was equipped to encounter the powers of darkness, and face them armed and ready.

When I think about fasting, I can't help but think about what you give up in order to fast (ie. - usually food) - but just think about what is gained! 
 

The Kingdom where less is more!

I have believed for a while now that the Lord is calling us as a church into a season of prayer and fasting.

I'll be sharing on here and our youtube channel some more thoughts about that in the coming days to help us to understand the practise it biblically and plan to do it thoughtfully, and safely but effectively.

This is a conviction I've shared with other leaders across the city who are feeling drawn in similar ways as we continue to cry out to God together to "break the damn", to tear down the spiritual obstacles and release His blessing He longs for us to enjoy. (If you want to know more about that, you can hear me sharing the vision here).

Over the summer, we're planning what we're calling: Simply Sundays - stripped-back services where there is space to engage with the scriptures in a fresh way and pray together as a church family. These are planned through the month of August, (the 4th, 11th and 25th) and I'm really excited to see what the Lord has in store for us. There's a different plan for the 18th of August - something else I'm excited about - but I'll tell you more about that later!
 

 
On two of these Simply Sundays (the 11th and 25th) we will inviting everyone to a simple breakfast prior to the morning service. This might be an opportunity for some of us, if we are able, to literally "break the fast" together. However, if Saturdays are not a good time for you to fast (because of other family or work commitments), please do consider when and how you may best be able to fast - and do still plan to come and join us for breakfast!

So - watch this space for more details, but if you'd like to dive straight into what the bible says about fasting, here are some great passages to begin with:

• Matthew 6.16-18
• Isaiah 58
• Matthew 4.1-11 (especially verse 4!)
• Acts 13.1-3
• Acts 14.21-23

God, teach us to pray.
Teach us the power of prayer.
And teach us to think: fast.