Book of Matthew - Chapter 17 - Verse 21

This verse, found in the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizes the importance of prayer and fasting when confronting spiritual challenges. Jesus spoke these words in response to his disciples' inability to cast out a demon from a boy. The message in this verse teaches us that some trials and struggles in life require a deeper level of spiritual discipline and connection with God to overcome. By engaging in prayer, we communicate our dependence on and trust in God's power to intervene in our circumstances. Fasting, on the other hand, helps us deny our physical desires and focus our attention on seeking God's will and strength. Together, prayer and fasting create a powerful combination that can help us tackle the obstacles and battles we face in our spiritual journey. So, when we encounter challenges that seem insurmountable, we are encouraged to turn to God in prayer and fasting, trusting in His ability to deliver us and bring about victory in our lives.

In the verse "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting," the theological interpretation revolves around the concept of spiritual authority and the necessity of seeking God through prayer and fasting for certain spiritual battles. This verse emphasizes that some challenges require a heightened level of devotion and discipline to overcome. By engaging in prayer and fasting, believers demonstrate their deep reliance on God's power and their willingness to sacrifice earthly desires for spiritual breakthroughs. Additionally, the phrase "this kind" could refer to specific types of spiritual warfare that are particularly stubborn or resistant to conventional methods of casting out evil spirits. Through prayer and fasting, believers tap into God's strength and authority to combat these formidable adversaries. In essence, this verse teaches the importance of spiritual disciplines in achieving victory in the spiritual realm.