“If You can do anything, have pity and help us!” (Mark 9:22)
Have you ever prayed a desperate prayer?
For the father in this story, this was a request of distress. Any faith he had mustered that morning slipped away by that afternoon. Hopelessness wrestled with desire as this exhausted parent approached Jesus.
When Jesus heard of this family’s situation, He wasn’t surprised by the demon’s strength but by the disciples’ weakness. Unbelief was the root of their problem.
What one situation constantly interrupts your thoughts? What request do you often bring to Jesus? Don’t avoid this father’s simple prayer. Remember that it was his fumbling “if” that kickstarted this miracle.
“If.” This simple connecting word carries no fault. It merely begs clarity and wasn’t what shocked Jesus. He always welcomes questions for better communication.
The problem was the pronoun coupled with the “if.” Consider who the father challenged when he asked, “If You can” (Mark 9:23)? It was Jesus’ ability that he called into question. “If You (Jesus) can.”
Hear our Lord’s surprise and subsequent response: “If I can? Oh, precious one, you are emphasizing the wrong pronoun. It is not My ability that is hindering success. My power and potential are omnipotent.”
It is as if He continues: “I can see your difficulty, but the lack doesn’t exist on My part, but in yours. The question is not whether or not I can accomplish healing, but whether or not you can faithe Me.”
What promise has He given you? Did He clarify it in His Word? Was it almost too good to be true?
Follow the example of this uncertain father. Cry out with him, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Admitting the truth of our wavering is better than our best excuses and most vigorous protestations. He knows our unbelief before we form it into words. Tell Him, “I do faithe, but I’m afraid it might not be enough. I need help!”
Our Master already knows the degree of our faith and desires to strengthen it. Curing our deficient belief must come before receiving our request. Whatever situation we bring to Him, His first interest is to heal our wavering faith, as He can’t be satisfied without it. “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Once the “conviction of things not seen” springs up within our souls, its overflow will naturally meet our need. His doing relies upon our believing.
I’m glad that He requires only a mustard seed’s worth of faith (Matthew 17:20). And I’m thankful to know that He has already credited that kernel portion into our souls (Romans 12:3). Let’s allow hope to surge within our hearts to pray, “Since You have given me the faith, I will then take assurance that You can. Come now and strengthen any area of inadequacy. Indeed, help my unbelief.”