Are there any denominations that teach exactly how long one needs to pray (and fast) before attempting a difficult exorcism, in light of Mark 9:29?
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GotQuestions.org has an article entitled [*Why did Jesus say that the demon could only come out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29)?*](https://www.gotquestions.org/only-come-out-by-prayer-and-fasting.html) , which I’d like to quote to motivate this question:
> Later, the disciples privately asked Jesus why they could not cast out the unclean spirit (Mark
> 9:28), and Jesus replied that this particular kind could only come out
> “by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29, KJV). It is only the King James
> Version (and NKJV) that records Jesus saying the demon could only come
> out by prayer and fasting. Other translations (ASV, NASB, ESV, NIV, et
> al.) leave out *and fasting* and only mention prayer. The difference is
> due to a textual variant. The two oldest and most reliable Greek
> manuscripts omit *and fasting*.
>
> While there are many variants in the Greek manuscripts of the New
> Testament, it is remarkable that none of the variants create any
> significant doctrinal challenge—they are usually minor and don’t
> impact the message of a passage at all. Mark 9:29 is one of the more
> significant variants, as the differing translations make it unclear
> whether the demon in Mark 9 could only come out by prayer and fasting,
> or whether prayer alone would work. It is worth noting that in the New
> Testament fasting was simply prayer so focused and intense that a
> person did not give attention to things like eating or drinking—so
> either way, Jesus is emphasizing that the demon in Mark 9 could only
> come out by intensive prayer.
>
> As Jesus explains to the crowd, the key was the faith of those
> involved (e.g., Mark 9:19, 23). So it is evident that prayer rooted in
> faith in Jesus Christ is effective (see James’ assertion that the
> prayer of a righteous [believing] person is effective, James 5:16b).
> Jesus was challenging the crowd, the boy’s father, and the disciples
> on the importance of believing in Him as the One who could accomplish
> what would otherwise be impossible.
Whether one accepts the *prayer and fasting* variant or the *prayer only* variant, it is clear that, in either case, a special kind or a higher degree of prayer is required before attempting difficult exorcisms. Unfortunately, Jesus’s recorded words are quite vague on this point, as He does not provide a more precise protocol, leaving several questions unanswered, such as:
- How can one determine if an exorcism will be particularly difficult?
- What factors contribute to the difficulty of an exorcism?
- How much time should be devoted to prayer in preparation for a difficult exorcism?
- Is fasting ever necessary, at least in extreme cases, and if so, for how long? Or is prayer alone always sufficient?
Are there any Christian denominations or traditions that teach a more detailed protocol for preparing for difficult exorcisms?
Asked by user117426
(370 rep)
Aug 1, 2025, 06:58 AM
Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 05:03 PM
Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 05:03 PM