SERMON SCRIPTURE NOTES
This Changes Everything
Prayer and Fasting
Pastor Clint Cook · November 1, 2026
Lead Pastor of RLC – Real Life Church
SCRIPTURE NOTES · PAGE 1 OF 3
The Transfiguration and the Boy Who Could Not Be Healed
Matthew 17:1–8 (NKJV)
1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Matthew 17:14–21 (NKJV)
14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
SCRIPTURE NOTES · PAGE 2 OF 3
Just the Facts …
The 3 Disciples that Saw His Glory
The 9 Who Couldn't Heal the Boy
The Only One Who Could Heal
Matthew 10:1 (NKJV)
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Matthew 10:7–8 (NKJV)
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
The Only One Who Could Heal
Matthew 17:17: Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”
Matthew 17:21: However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
1 · What Is a Biblical FAST?
Biblical fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.
Hover over each fasting type to read its description and Scripture reference.
Normal Fast
Going without all food for a period of time for a spiritual purpose while continuing to drink water.
Jesus ate nothing during forty days in the wilderness. Water is not mentioned in this verse.
Partial Fast
Giving up certain foods or drinks for a period of time while continuing to eat other foods.
During three weeks of mourning, Daniel went without pleasant bread, meat, and wine.
Absolute Fast
Going without all food and drink, including water, for a period of time.
Esther called for a three-day fast in which the people would neither eat nor drink.
Corporate Fast
Fasting together as a group for a shared spiritual purpose.
Joel called the people to consecrate a fast and gather the congregation.
Matthew 4:1–2 (NKJV)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Isaiah 58:6 (NKJV)
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:8–9 (NKJV)
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am…
SCRIPTURE NOTES · PAGE 3 OF 3
2 · This KIND Does Not Go Out …
Matthew 17:16: So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.
Dark Night of the Soul
Life Becomes a Slow Grind
- Darkness
- Meaningless
- Heaviness
- Hopeless
There some situations require divine intervention. One of the greatest mistakes we can make is trying to fight a spiritual battle with nothing but natural weapons.
3 · Except by Prayer and Fasting
Matthew 6:17–18 (NKJV)
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Grow in Faith. Deepen Your Prayer Life.
Scripture notes from This Changes Everything – Prayer and Fasting, Pastor Clint Cook, November 1, 2026.