In Mark, 9:7-29, is related the story of the afflicted child who was brought to Jesus by the disciples after their vain efforts to cast out from him the spirit which tormented him and of his being healed by Jesus, who said, in reply to a question from the disciples, that: "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”
Thus Jesus taught that fasting and praying give strength to the spirit of man, so that it may become enabled to heal the different violent and strong sicknesses which possess him.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded Corinne True, Haifa; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 18, February 7, 1914)