I Do Believe; Help My Unbelief

Mark 9:23-24

Mark 9:23-24 is a father’s honest cry to Jesus. “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Lord Jesus, You said all things are possible to him who believes. Like the father who brought You his son, I come to You for someone I love. I do believe; help my unbelief. Meet me where my faith is weak today. Amen.

The Scripture

““If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!””
— Mark 9:23-24

Prayer points from Mark 9:23-24

Tell Him honestly where you believe and where you doubt.
Bring Him the person you love by name.
Ask Him to have compassion on you and help you.
Ask Him to grow your faith where it is weak.
Pray for parents who are carrying a hurting child.
Thank Him that He does not turn away weak faith.

About this verse

While Jesus is on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, a father brings his son to the other disciples. The boy has a spirit that makes him mute and throws him to the ground, and the disciples are unable to drive it out. When Jesus comes down, the father tells Him the story. It has been this way from childhood, and the spirit often throws the boy into the fire or into the water. Then the father asks, if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus echoes his words back to him and tells him that all things are possible to him who believes. At once the father cries out that he does believe, and asks Jesus to help his unbelief. Jesus rebukes the spirit, it comes out, and He takes the boy by the hand and helps him to his feet. It is a prayer for anyone whose faith is real but weak.

When to pray this prayer

When your faith feels weak or mixed with doubt
When you have been praying for someone for a long time
When others have not been able to help
When you are not sure God can change your situation
When you are carrying someone you love to Jesus
When you want to be honest with God about your doubts

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