Only by Prayer and Fasting
(Note: The following is a homily delivered at St. Stephen in July 2012. I have done some revision for this post.)
Matthew 17:14-23
St. Peter wrote: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world”. (I Peter 5:8, 9)
St. Peter warns of the ever-present enemy activity of the devil and his demon accomplices that has not changed from the days of the first century. Demonic warfare is still present among us.
In the Gospel account, Matthew 17:14-23, Jesus is confronted by a father whose son has been overtaken by demons. It is a sad story which serves as a warning and an encouragement to us all. As St. Peter said, we must be sober… (that is, of sound mind; discreet; thinking clearly) and vigilant… (that is, watchful, awake). None of us is immune from this aggression. The holy Apostle also reminds us that we are not entirely hopeless – something can be done. He says, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” We have been given a mind to think and free will to respond. We cannot do it alone, but we can resist and repel the damaging effects to our body and soul. Jesus gives us the answer when He said to His disciples, “…this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting,” (Matthew 17:21).
First, what evidence is there which points to demonic presence and influence in our lives? Look again at this young man…
- Matthew 17:15 – “He is epileptic (moonstruck)…he often falls into the fire and the water.”
- Mark 9:18 – “He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid.”
- Luke 9:39 – “It departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.”
This horrible description, as interpreted by the church fathers, indicates that he changes moods and attitudes like the moon – sometimes virtuous and sometimes vicious. He often falls into the fire of anger and lust, and into water, the waves of the many cares of this life where the devil dwells. From his mouth comes that which is vile, profane, hateful toward others and his body stiffens with unwillingness to care for others. The demons do not depart easily (as we shall see) and when they do, they leave marks on the body which they assault.
Sadly, this is a picture of far too many lives today, even much of our society as a whole. We have heard in recent times of mass shooting sprees in our country. The fierceness of the debates concerning abortion, same-sex marriage, parental rights, religious freedom, etc. has intensified. The spread of pornography (internet, movies), clothing styles, drug and alcohol use, theft, gang activity and the like indicate the bold work of this “roaring lion”. Even among Christians, there is an alarming level of apathy and lack of focus; church attendance, prayer, Bible reading, spiritual growth, etc. seem to be losing priority in life. That is, in part, the effect of demonic influence. So many Christians walk on two paths. While we know we are “in this world but not of this world”, there is the reality of leading two lives.
“Demons have no direct control over our souls but try to create trouble for us…they have no other recourse than to act upon the body” (Evagrios, 345-399 AD). The demons seek to entice our senses, sway our thinking toward physical and material objects. Such was the case with Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Evagrios goes on to teach that there are three (3) groups of demons opposing us:
1) those entrusted with the appetites of gluttony – love of food and pleasure
2) those that suggest thoughts of greed – love of money and things
3) those that incite us to self-esteem – love of praise, self-glory
To satisfy these, people turn to food, entertainment (movie, TV, internet, etc.), drugs and alcohol, extravagance in spending, loose talk, and on and on. Such behavior really brings about misery, poor health, broken relationships, and separation from God. This, too, is much the influence of demons.
What can we do? While perhaps not exhaustive, I suggest the counsel of St. Peter and Christ Himself, mentioned above:
“Be sober, be vigilant…Resist him, steadfast in faith…” Keep your mind healthy with the Word of God, teachings of the Church and the lives of the Saints. Stop the inflow of immoral, unwholesome sights and sounds through our sense-gates. Build up your faith by attendance and participating in services, receiving all the sacraments, and maintaining relationships with people who are on the path to salvation.
“…By prayer and fasting.” Discipline yourself to a rule of consistent prayer, the prayers of the Church supplemented by your personal supplications and intercessions. Do not be apathetic about fasting. Do it right and with your heart. Fasting has great power. Hear the words of St. Theophan: “If this kind goes out by the prayer and fasting of another person, then it is even less able to enter one who fasts and prays. What protection! Although there are a huge number of demons and all the air is packed with them, they cannot do anything to one who is protected by prayer and fasting. Fasting is comprehensive temperance, and prayer is comprehensive communication with God. The former defends from the outside, whereas the latter directs a fiery weapon against the enemies from within. The demons can sense a man of abstinence and prayer from a distance, and they run far away from him so as to avoid a painful blow. Is it possible to think that where there is no fasting and prayer, there is already a demon? Yes, it is. The demons lodging in a person do not always reveal their presence, but lurk there, stealthily teaching their host every evil and turning him away from every good. This person is certain that he is doing everything on his own, but meanwhile he is only fulfilling the will of his enemy. Just commence prayer and fasting, and the enemy will immediately depart, waiting on the side for an opportunity to somehow return again. And he really will return as soon as prayer and fasting are abandoned.”
So, brothers and sisters, let us not ignore nor underestimate the potential damage the demonic forces can inflict upon us. However, let us neither forget, even for a moment, the love and power of Christ who stands with us. He has supplied us with these two weapons of prayer and fasting. If we choose, we can utilize them with much success, saving our bodies and our souls. If we fail to use them, we may well go down to defeat.
God help us to be good soldiers.
Fr. Andrew
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