The Believer's Prayer
The child’s father immediately cried out and said with tears, “I do believe. Help me with my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Do you ever find yourself asking God to answer your prayer if he can? You’ve tried everything you can think of, and this prayer is your last resort. You want God to answer your prayer in a certain way but you don’t really think God will answer it that way, or maybe even at all.
One Jewish father found himself in that same situation. His son had been possessed by a demon that would often try to kill the boy by throwing him into seizures. He had tried everything to help his son out. While Jesus was with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, the father brought the boy to the other disciples but they were not able to help either.
When Jesus came down from the Mount, the boy’s father came to him with his request. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22) If Jesus was able to do something, maybe he could help. But the man seemed to doubt that Jesus would be able to help. All Jesus had to say was “If you can? All things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
The believer trusts that God can do all things. They believe in the one who created all things with his voice. He controls all things, nothing escapes his hand. But our faith can be a feeble thing. Sometimes, we trust with everything we have that God can do all things. Other times, we look around and see all the things that seem to be out of control and we doubt that God is in control; and we fall into Satan’s traps. When that happens, we pray the same prayer as the boy’s father: “I do believe. Help me with my unbelief.” and God gives us the strength to trust that he can do all things, and works for our eternal good. Amen.
The song for today is “Help My Unbelief” by Audrey Assad