Why Could Not We Cast Him Out?

The disciples were deeply troubled—and embarassed—at their lack of ability to cast the demon out of a child. After Christ came and cast the demon out with a word, the disciples asked Christ in private a very important question: Why could not we cast him out?

The Lord's answer provides a wealth of information to the Church in this day of spiritual powerlessness when Satan seems to be having his way and the Church seems powerless to do anything about it.

"This kind" the Lord Jesus said to his perplexed disciples, "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting." So what had worked before for these disciples in casting out demons wasn't going to work now. And there was a very simple reason for it.