Extraordinary Means Necessary
Matthew 17:21
However, this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.


When the Christian is buffeted with any temptation, or overpowered with a corruption, and cannot by the use of ordinary means quench the one or mortify the other; when the short dagger of ordinary prayer will not reach the heart of a lust, then it is time to draw out the long sword of extraordinary prayer upon it. Some poor souls complain that they have come to the Word in their daily prayers, begged power over such a lust, resolved against it many a time, and none of these means cure it; what can they now do more? Here thou art told: bring thy condition to Christ in this solemn ordinance of prayer and fasting; this hath been the happy means of strengthening many a poor Christian, to be avenged on those spiritual enemies which have outbraved all his former efforts, and, like Samson, to pull down the devil's house upon his head.

(Gurnall.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

WEB: But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."




Constant Temperance Better than Occasional Fasting
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