“Through humble prayer united with fasting, a person empties himself of ego and is filled with the humble, healing, and sanctifying love of God,” said Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Sunday at the historic “Saint George” Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence.
In his sermon at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch of Romania spoke about the miracle of the healing of the epileptic boy and highlighted that the presence of evil is often due to wavering faith.
“The weakening of faith among the people strengthens the devil’s action upon them. The Lord Jesus said to all those weak in faith: ‘O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?’”
With this rebuke, Patriarch Daniel explained, “The Lord meant to say that demons gain power over people when faith in the community is weak. The more faith diminishes, the more power evil spirits gain over people, leading them to complain, rebel, or even blame God for their suffering, especially when an innocent child is the one who suffers.”
The Power of Persistent Prayer
Patriarch Daniel emphasized the strength of persistent prayer, deep humility, and strengthened faith as the child’s father exemplified.
“Seeing the father’s persistent prayer, strong faith, and profound humility, Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the child and never return. Only then did the child truly become his father’s own—healed and free—because Jesus granted him health and freedom.”
“As long as the child was sick or possessed by the unclean spirit, he was under its torment. We see that our Lord Jesus Christ has mercy both on the father, who repents and acknowledges his weak faith, and on the child, whom He frees from the mute and deaf spirit. Thus, all who were present witnessed the merciful and healing love of Christ,” the Patriarch said.
Fasting as a Weapon Against the Devil
Patriarch Daniel explained that although the disciples had received power from Christ to heal and cast out demons, they could not expel the mute and deaf spirit from the child due to a lack of spiritual preparation. Beyond the authority granted to them, persistent prayer and fasting were also required.
“The disciples had received from the Lord Jesus Christ the power to cast out unclean spirits and heal every disease and infirmity among the people, but they did not understand why this power had not worked in this particular case.”
“The disciples thus learn from their Teacher that it is not enough to merely command the demons to leave. They must be in living communion with God through prayer and fasting, because demons, being evil and proud, do not fear beautiful words or harsh commands. They fear only humble, compassionate, and fervent prayer united with fasting.”
The Patriarch continued: “Demons fear the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person because only the Holy and Good Spirit can drive away unclean and evil spirits from those possessed.”
“Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches us how necessary, alive, and powerful prayer united with fasting is—how it frees us from selfish passions, unclean spirits, illness, and infirmity.”
Saint John Climacus
Patriarch Daniel also spoke about Saint John Climacus, whose work The Ladder illustrates “the spiritual struggle of the one striving to ascend toward God through the fulfillment of divine commandments, the cleansing of passions, and the cultivation of holiness—in mind, heart, and body.”
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
Source: basilica.ro
