prepared

The disciples were frustrated that they couldn’t cast out the demon – Jesus said that this kind could only come out through prayer and fasting – Jesus immediately spoke the words and the demon came out.

I’ve read this passage many times in passing. Its message to me was that we need to prepare and dedicate ourselves more fully to certain areas. We need to pray and fast through harder situations rather than merely praying momentarily and expecting it to be enough.

In bible study the other night, my view of this verse changed. It changed away from what Jesus did to when Jesus did it. Jesus cast out the demon on the spot. The bible does not say that Jesus went away and prayed and fasted for a period of time. It says he talked to the boy’s parents and then cast out the demon. And it came out.

Logically, if this demon would only come out through prayer and fasting, and Jesus did not leave to pray and fast first, Jesus must have been living a life of prayer and fasting in order to be prepared for such a moment. Wow. He was living prepared.

That was a challenge to me. To live prepared. To live in such a way that whenever the need arises, I am so in tune with the Lord that I can fulfill whatever he has called me to at that moment. To live ready to face anything because of my dedication and submission to the Lord. To live and walk with my eyes, heart, and mind always on the Lord and his strength, grace, and love.

Jesus was sent to be our example – he lived prepared. I believe we need to do likewise.