Week 7 — Friday: Praying With Faith

Mark 9:14-29 

There is a man I am acquainted with whose wife unexpectedly passed away from an illness. She was a kind and gracious person, as was he. Even in his grief, this man continued to manifest those qualities of grace. Though I have followed Jesus for a fairly long time, in tragedy, I am at a loss for words. Tragedy exposes the deficiencies of my faith. 

In these moments where all my answers, insights, and prayers seem inadequate, and my faith is smaller than needed, I find comfort in a father’s simple cry to Jesus, saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” In the context of this story of a father who desperately wants his son healed, Jesus says, “all things are possible to him who believes.” 

The man’s response, if nothing else, is honest. But it also is a request for greater faith in the midst of circumstances too awful to imagine. Jesus does not chastise the man for his deficiencies in that moment but instead responds with the help he needs. Ultimately, when I am at a loss for words and my faith falters, it is this humble and honest prayer for help with my faith that manifests something of value to Jesus. Perhaps, when you are coming to Jesus in prayer, humbly and honestly asking for help with your own faith will offer the possibility of greater transformation. 

When the circumstances and needs seem larger than your faith today, I encourage you to pray with the faith you have for the greater faith you need. As I pray for my friend, I know my answers and insights are inadequate, but all things are possible with God, even the increase of my faith in His ability to provide the help needed. 

—CONTRIBUTED BY JON BYRON —

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