One of my favorite verses on prayer has always been, “Lord, I believe; please help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24.
I love this verse because the speaker tells Jesus, “Yes, I believe!” and immediately admits he is also struggling with doubt: “help my unbelief!” I love that honesty—and I think God loves it too.
Have you ever felt that way about a prayer? Have you believed and doubted at the same time? I bet everyone has.
And reading this today I noticed the context. This is the prayer of a parent desperate to help his demon-possessed son. He has told Jesus how bad it is, that “ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire and into the waters to destroy him,” and the father has run out of options. No one has been able to help the boy, not even Jesus’s disciples.
Jesus answered “If you believe, all things are possible.”
That sounds hopeful, but the father knows his own heart. He knows that his faith is shaky at best and it grieves him. “And straightway the father cried out with tears and said, ‘Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief!’”
And Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and rescued the boy. And that’s a big deal. Why? Because this father did NOT have perfect faith. He knew it, he agonized over it, and when Jesus said, ‘If you believe…’ the father cried out because of his own doubts. He was struggling. The father’s hopes had been dashed so many times before. He wanted to believe now, but he was struggling.
Yet, Jesus gave him what he asked for anyway. You can be honest with God. You can pray saying, ‘Lord, I believe, please help my unbelief!’ I have prayed those words many times. God loves you. “He is mindful that we are but dust” Psalm 103:14. You don’t have to be perfect. Seek him. Pray honestly—pray hard—and be real. God will bless you and those you pray for. Even when you have doubts.
PRAY: Lord, I believe! Please help my unbelief.
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