high mountain and then climb it to the top though He was hungry
and weak? What mountain is so high that you can view all the
kingdoms of the earth and their power from it? The answer is that
Jesus did not physically go to these places with the devil but was
taken there in the spirit. Jesus prayed and fasted His way into the
spiritual realm where He contended with the devil.
Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
We see another example of Jesus entering the spiritual realm
in His time of prayer, when He was transfigured on the
mountain. “About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and
James with him and went up on a mountain to pray. While he
was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became shining
white.” Luke 9:28-29
Other Examples Of Spiritual Warfare
We have other examples of men touching or entering the
realms of the spirit through prayer. Peter prayed until he fell
into a trance and saw heaven open. Daniel fasted and prayed
until an angel manifested and told him of the battles raging in
the heavens.
Jesus’ disciples gathered and prayed every day until the Spirit of
God descended from heaven like a mighty rushing wind on the day
of Pentecost. We too must learn to pray until either we enter the
spiritual realm or spiritual things are revealed among us.
Based on the above examples, one may wonder if it was during a
time of intense prayer and fasting that Paul entered the third heaven
where he saw and heard things that are not lawful to be uttered
among mortal men. 2 Corinthians 12:1-4.
Jesus gave us a hint after casting out the demon that his disciples
could not. “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said,
‘Why could we not cast it out?’ o 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.’” (NKJV) Matthew
17:19-21
Note: Demons come in different kinds. Some can be dealt with by
prayer alone but others require prayer coupled with fasting. (Some
versions do not include verse 21 that speak of prayer and fasting.)
Conclusion
If we are going to wrestle spirit beings or have angels wrestle them
on our behalf, we must do it through prayer and if necessary we
must also fast. There was very good reason why God gave us an
insight into Jesus’ prayer life. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
p
By Homer Slack
author, preacher, Bible
teacher, IT tutor, programmer & graphic designer
Religious Jews praying at the Western Temple Wall
April - June 2016
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