The father was at his wit’s end. He had tried everything else, for years, all to no avail. Now, here he was, standing in a crowd, waiting to ask the Teacher for help. He had told of the failures of the others, and then asks imploringly:
“… But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
(Mark 9:22-24 ESV)
“If you can.” Can you imagine saying that to the Son of God, creator of the universe? It seems like even Jesus was a bit taken aback by the man’s statement. The Amplified Bible reads like this:
“[You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!”
Can’t you almost hear the incredulity in Jesus’ voice? Of course, the response is immediate:
At once the father of the boy gave [an eager, piercing, inarticulate] cry with tears, and he said, Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!
How do we pray today? Do we pray knowing that God CAN answer our prayers, and that He WILL answer our prayers? Do we pray as though we’re reaching out to touch the hem of His robe, knowing that just a touch will heal us?
Even the disciples didn’t always get results, as evidenced in the follow-up to the story above. It seems they may have been a bit too full of themselves, and weren’t relying on faith and prayer, but on their own strength.
Here’s the rest of the story from Mark 9:18-19, 28-29 (ESV):
“I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And He (Jesus) answered them (disciples), “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”
… when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
God has said He WILL answer our prayers. We only need ask in Jesus’ name, as He would pray, and in His will, in faith.
Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!
