Help Me In My Unbelief
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:20-24 NIV)
This is part of the passage that our pastor preached about this past Sunday during our Sunday morning Worship Service. I have been drawn back to it so many times each day ever sense. Especially the father’s response to the father’s initial request of Jesus…
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” vs. 23-24
How many times I have caught myself praying and asking God to help me to overcome something and in the back of my mind I am forming a backup plan in case it doesn’t happen?
I am as guilty as the father in this story and my requests seem so small compared to the need that this father brought before Jesus. I have prayed this scripture over and over and over again this week. The father is so right on…and so humble to tell Jesus…”I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” I have started praying that this week. God please help me…I do believe but please help me in any areas of my life that I need to overcome my unbelief.
I won’t keep you in suspense..this is what happened next in this amazing story…
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. vs 25-26
Isn’t that incredible? Isn’t it awesome? And the father in this story had a weak faith! Wow! But he acknowledged his weak faith and went God for help with that too!I am in awe!!! How much more can God do when we have the faith to move mountains? LOL
Jesus told His disciples later that this kind of spirit requires much faith-filled prayer to rebuke. The disciples weren’t relying on God and believing with all they were. It really makes me think about the amount of time I have been spending in heart felt prayer lately. Studying this passage on Sunday with our pastor helped me to really recommit my prayer life to Him. So now every morning this week I have been starting my day in my quiet time…and ending it with this prayer from my heart…
God I do believe!!! Help me, Mary Joy, overcome my unbelief!!!
