4 ways "Help my unbelief!" It is a powerful prayer
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed: “I believe; help me overcome my disbelief! ”- Mark 9:24
This cry came from a man who was heartbroken about the state of his son. He desperately hoped that Jesus' disciples could help him, and when they could not, he began to doubt. The words of Jesus that elicited this cry for help were both the gentle rebuke and the reminder he needed at that moment.
… Everything is possible for those who believe. '(Mark 9:23)
I needed to feel it on my Christian journey too. As much as I love the Lord, there have been times when I started to doubt. Whether my attitude stemmed from fear, upset, or even impatience, it revealed a weak area in me. But in the conversations and healing in this story, I found great reassurance and hope that my faith will always continue to grow.
Getting stronger in our faith is a lifelong process. The great news is that we don't have to mature alone: God will do the work in our hearts. However, we have an important role to play in his plan.
The meaning of “Lord, I Believe; Help my unbelief in Mark 9:24
What the man is saying here may sound contradictory. He claims to believe, but confesses his disbelief. It took me a while to appreciate the wisdom in his words. Now I see that this father understood that faith in God is not a final choice or just a switch that God turns on in our moment of salvation.
At first as a believer, I felt the idea that God changes us gradually as the layers of an onion are peeled off. This can apply to faith. How much we grow in our faith over time depends on how willing we are to:
Let go of the attempted control
Submit to God's will
Trust in God's ability
The father quickly realized that he needed to admit his inability to heal his son. Then he declared that Jesus could do the healing. The result was joyful: his son's health was renewed and his faith increased.
What is happening in Mark 9 regarding unbelief
This verse is part of a narrative that begins Mark 9:14. Jesus (along with Peter, James and John) is returning from a trip to a nearby mountain (Mark 9: 2-10). There, the three disciples had seen what is called the Transfiguration of Jesus, a visual glimpse of His divine nature.
His garments became dazzling white… a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to it! "(Mark 9: 3, Mark 9: 7)
They returned to what must have been a shocking scene after the beauty of the Transfiguration (Mark 9: 14-18). The other disciples were surrounded by a crowd and were arguing with some teachers of the law. A man had brought his son, who was possessed by an evil spirit. The boy had been tormented by it for years. The disciples had not been able to heal him and were now arguing animatedly with the teachers.
When the father saw Jesus, he turned to him and explained the situation to him and added that the disciples could not drive out the spirit. Jesus' rebuke is the first mention of unbelief in this passage.
“Unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “How long will I stay with you? How long will I have to put up with you? (Mark 9:19)
When asked more about the boy's condition, the man replied, then gave a plea: "But if you can do something, have mercy on us and help us."
Within this sentence is a mixture of discouragement and a faint kind of hope. Jesus perceives it and asks: "If you can?" So it offers the ailing father a better perspective. The well-known answer showcases the human heart and shows the steps we can take to grow in our faith:
"I believe; help me overcome my disbelief! "(Mark 9:24)
1. Declare your love for God (a life of worship)
2. Admits that his faith is not as strong as it could be (a weakness in his spirit)
3. Asks Jesus to change him (the will to be made stronger)
The connection between prayer and faith
Interestingly, Jesus makes a link here between successful healing and prayer. The disciples asked Him: "Why could we not cast him out?" And Jesus said, "This guy can only come out with prayer."
The disciples had used the power that Jesus had given them to perform many miracles. But some situations did not require aggressive commands but humble prayer. They needed to rely on and trust in God. As disciples sought God's healing hand and saw answers to prayer, their faith grew.
Spending regular time in prayer will have the same effect on us.
The closer our bond with God is, the more we will see Him at work. As we become more aware of our need for Him and how He provides, our faith will also grow stronger.
Other biblical translations of Mark 9:24
It is always interesting to observe how the different translations of the Bible present a passage. This example shows how careful choice of words can bring more insight to a verse while staying aligned with the original meaning.
The Amplified Bible
Immediately the boy's father cried [with a desperate and piercing cry], saying, “I believe; help me overcome my unbelief ”.
The descriptors in this version add to the emotional impact of the verse. Are we fully involved in the process of growing our faith?
Immediately the child's father exclaimed: "I trust, it helps my lack of trust!"
This translation uses the word "trust". Do we ask God to increase our trust in Him so that our faith can be firmer?
Translation of the good news
The father immediately shouted: “I have faith, but not enough. Help me get more! "
Here, the version highlights the father's humility and self-awareness. Are we willing to honestly consider our doubts or questions about faith?
the message
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the father shouted, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts! '
The wording of this translation evokes the sense of urgency that the father felt. Are we ready to quickly respond to God's call for a deeper kind of faith?
4 ways and prayers to ask God to help our unbelief
This tale describes a parent who was engaged in a long-term struggle for his child's life. Most of the situations we face are not that dramatic. But we can take the principles in Mark 9 and apply them to prevent doubt from creeping in during all kinds of momentary or ongoing challenges in our life.
1. Help my unbelief on Le reconciliation
relationships are an integral part of God's plan for us. But as imperfect humans, we can find ourselves strangers to Him and others who are important to us. In some cases, problems are resolved immediately. But sometimes, for whatever reason, we stay apart longer. While a personal connection is "pending," we can choose to let pessimism in or continue to pursue God.
Lord, I admit my doubt that this relationship (with You, with another person) can be reconciled. It has been damaged and has been broken for a long time. Your Word says that Jesus came so that we could be reconciled with You and calls us to be reconciled with one another. I ask you to help me do my part, and then to rest in the expectation that here I work for good. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
2. Help my unbelief when I struggle to forgive
The command to forgive is woven throughout the Bible. But when we are hurt or betrayed by someone, our tendency is to move away from that person rather than towards them. In those difficult times, we can let our feelings guide us, or we can choose to faithfully obey God's call to seek peace.
Heavenly Father, I am struggling to forgive and I wonder if I will ever be able to. The pain I feel is real and I don't know when it will ease. But Jesus taught that we must forgive others so that we can be forgiven ourselves. So even though I still feel anger and pain, Lord, help me decide to have grace for this person. Please make me available to release my feelings, trusting that you take care of both of us in this situation and bring peace. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
3. Help my disbelief about healing
When we see God's promises of healing, our natural response to physical or mental health conditions is to elevate them. Sometimes an answer to our prayer comes immediately. But other times, healing comes very slowly. We can let the waiting lead us to despair or to draw closer to God.
Father God, I confess that I am battling the doubt that you will heal me (my family member, friend, etc.). Health conditions are always concerning and this has been going on for a while. I know You promise in Your Word to "heal all our diseases" and make us whole. But while I wait, Lord, don't let me fall into despair, but to become more confident that I will see Your goodness. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
4. Help my unbelief on providence Le
Scriptures give us many examples of how God cares for His people. But if our needs are not met as quickly as we would like, it can be difficult to keep calm in our spirits. We can navigate this season with impatience or expecting how God will work.
Dear Lord, I come to you and confess my doubt that you will provide for me. Throughout history, you have watched over your people, knowing what we need before praying about it. So, Father, help me believe those truths and know in my heart that you are already working. Replace my fear with hope. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Mark 9: 14-27 is a moving description of one of Jesus' miraculous healings. With his words, he saved a boy from a tormented spirit. In other words, Jesus took the father to a new level of faith.
I'm referring to his father's plea about his weakness, because if I'm being honest, it echoes mine. I am very grateful that God invites us to grow, then walks with us through the process. He likes every step we agree to take, from confession to the proclamation of our trust. So let's start the next part of the journey.