A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
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 one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure 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. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Mark 9:17–29
In Mark 9, we read about a father who brings his son to Jesus. His boy had been tormented by an evil spirit since childhood. First, the father brought his son to the disciples for help, but they were unable to do anything.
Now, desperate and weary, the father turns to Jesus.
There are many powerful truths within this story. The father’s statement in verse 24 is one that should resonate with every believer: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” That simple plea captures the tension that many of us should feel—trusting God, yet asking for help to trust Him more.
But today, I want to draw our attention to something Jesus says at the very end of the story.
After the crowd has left and the boy has been healed, the disciples ask why they were unable to drive out the spirit themselves.
And Jesus responds, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Notice: There are some trials, some battles, some hardships, some temptations, some burdens in life that can only be overcome with prayer.
I don’t know what struggle you’re facing today. I don’t know what pain you’re carrying, or how long you’ve been carrying it. Maybe it’s a sin you’ve been wrestling with for years. Maybe it’s a broken relationship that hasn’t healed. Maybe it’s fear, anxiety, depression, or an addiction that just won’t go away. Or maybe, just like the father in this story, there is something in the life of your child that causes you pain.
Whatever the burden or obstacle might be, maybe this story is the message you need today: There are some obstacles in our lives that can only be overcome with prayer.
And while there may be many things in life that we are powerless to overcome, there is one thing we can always do: Pray.
Bring your burden to the feet of Jesus today—right now, before doing anything else.
And just like this father, weary and tired, but faith-filled, trust that He has the power to overcome it on your behalf.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing me when I pray and your reminder that I can’t do all things on my own. There is a burden on my heart today. Help me believe you have the power to overcome it. Today, I want to pray about ____________________ . Amen.