Jesus said to him, “If you can believe all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him, and he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose…. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9: 23-27; Matthew 17: 20, 21 NKJV.
Holy Father, today we come to You, because we want to learn how to prevail in prayer! We pray that Your Holy Spirit will come by here, and teach us how to persevere, and gain the victory at the throne of grace. In the blessed name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
I have combined portions of the same story, from two of the gospels, Matthew and Mark. Together, they give us a complete picture of the battle that is being waged over every soul. Dearly beloved, we are in the midst of a cosmic warfare. On the one hand, God and the holy angels are desperately trying to save us! On the other hand, the adversary and his evil angels are also vying for our souls; to destroy us. And in the midst, are the “mountains,” seeking to block our cries for help!
Yesterday, we heard the father of the boy, in pitiful tones, mustering all the strength he could find to plead for the life of his son! His first plea for help seemed to have vanished in thin air, as the nine disciples, struggling with their own issues, were unable to help him. Now he is in the presence of the Master Himself; but obviously afraid to be disappointed again, he half-apologetically, and half in desperation, presents his feeble petition, “If You can…help us” (Mark 9: 22)!
The Master not only can; He wants, to help the boy! Yet His all-seeing eye recognizes that the father is also in need of help! He is going through a crisis of faith. Notice that He had come asking for help for his son, yet his petition to Jesus, is in the plural, “…help us!” Jesus knows that in order to do this, He must encourage the father to dare to have faith! Therefore, He allows him to take the first step of faith, “If you can believe [Jesus replies], all things are possible to him who believes.” Notice that the “If,” applies to us, for God is both willing and able! Praise His name!
Here is an invitation that he cannot resist! It is almost as if Jesus had placed the responsibility for the healing of his son in his own hands! If you can believe, all things are possible! In the face of such an open invitation, the father surrenders! His resistance broken, his desire awakened, he dares to hope for a miracle! Yes Lord, yes! “I believe; help my unbelief!” His faith commanded the “mountain” of doubt to move, and it did! Faith had won the battle; now nothing would be impossible! His son was healed!
Later, when the disciples approached Jesus, wanting to know why they could not cast out the evil spirit, Jesus’ reply was in effect, the same, “…assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Our faith in the omnipotence of God is powerful enough to make all things possible!