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Help Thou Mine Unbelief

What is the connection between prayer and faith? If we do not have enough faith, how do we get it?

Somewhere in Galilee, while the Savior was on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John seeing visions and receiving keys and promises, his other apostles waited in the valley below. As they waited, a crowd gathered about them including certain scribes who questioned them. When Jesus approached, the crowd saw him and “…were greatly amazed, and running, saluted him” (Mark 9:15), perhaps because of His transfigured appearance.

Jesus asked the scribes, “What questioned ye with them?” (Mark 9:16). In response, a man in the crowd came forward and fell at His feet and cried out saying, “…Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him” (Luke 9:38-39). Matthew’s account then says, “And I have brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him” (Matthew 17:16).

Jesus commanded that the afflicted son be brought to Him. Mark records, “…And when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed, foaming” (Mark 9:20).

The Master asked the father how long he had been like this. The father replied, “…Of a child. And oftentimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us. and help us” (Mark 9:21-22).

Can you hear the anguish in that father’s voice? Can you sense the desperation in his plea for help? Can you imagine how diligent and attentive this father has had to be for so many years to protect the life of this afflicted son? Have you ever loved someone else enough to pray and plead with this same Intensity?

Jesus said to him, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

The son could receive the miracle if the father had sufficient faith. Did the father have faith? Yes, he believed enough to seek the Savior out. He believed enough to brave a crowd and ask. He believed enough to endure the failure of the Apostles and still wait for the Lord. But did he have enough faith to do what was required now and receive what he counted as a great miracle? Knowing what he was, “…straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

Have you ever felt those same words? How many times, like that desperate dad, have we needed a miracle and knew we were not enough to merit it?

With compassion, Jesus “…rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him” (Mark 9:25).

“And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up; and he arose” (Mark 9:26-27). And Luke adds, “…and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God…”(Luke 9:42-43).

Can you imagine that father’s joy, relief, and gratitude? Can you see in your mind, the embrace of welcome recognition between father and son?

Is there any prayer a loving Heavenly Father and Savior would be more inclined to hear and answer than that of a desperate pleading parent?

If your faith is not enough—if your power is weak, pray more— not less. Jesus is the compassionate deliverer—still!

Sources:

Luke 9, KJV

Mark 9, KJV

Matthew 17, KJV