Matthew 17:21
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Is fasting and praying your religion or your lifestyle?

You can choose to live a mediocre life in Christ, or you can live a powerful one. There is a cost for a powerful one is prayer and fasting. Also, keep in mind, you don’t determine the level of God’s power that works in you. Your relationship with the Father and the assignment He gives you determine the power you have. In order to work the type of miracle required to heal certain sickness and cast out persistent and horrible demons; you need faith, the kind that moves mountains.

Matthew 17:19-20 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Amplified Bible, AMP)

You build your relationship with the Father and increase your faith through much prayer and fasting.

Jude 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

This is the point where you decide you are going to have a lifestyle, not a religion, of fasting. Your fasting should not only be when you are sleeping.

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

You have to pray more than a couple of minutes before you fall asleep and couple more when you wake up.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (New King James Version NKJV)

Your fasting can not just be what you give up once a week/month according to the church schedule.

Luke 18:11-12 The religious leader stood apart from the others and prayed, ‘How I thank you, O God, that I’m not wicked like everyone else. They’re cheaters, swindlers, and crooks—like that tax collector over there. God, you know that I never cheat or commit adultery; I fast from food twice a week and I give you a tenth of all I earn.’ (The Passion Translation TPT)

You must have personal communion with the Father and a discipline of fasting the Lord has called you to, not a religious practice.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I thank You because fasting and praying are not just something I do; they are both a part of who I am. I repent for the times when I only fasted when instructed, and I only prayed when I was in distress. I know I need to crucify my flesh. I know I have to deny what I want and I can hear what You want. I thank You because my prayer time is no longer a laundry list of things I want You to take care of. Now it is a peaceful time of waiting and listening to hear Your voice. I want to know what You desire of me and from me. I thank You because I know I cannot schedule these precious and powerful moments on a calendar alone. I have to be sensitive to You summoning me. I am grateful You call me to them. Help me to always respond with willing obedience and anticipation. Thank You for our time together…

Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.