Day 294.
“…if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24 ESV)
This is the last part of the conversation Jesus has with a man about his son who is possessed by an evil spirit. It reflects so many of our prayers. Do we not often go to the Lord with a sense of doubt, even of we don’t word it as such? Certainly there is some care to be given that we do not presume upon God in our prayers, and that we ought to be mindful of praying according to God’s mission and glory rather than according to our whims and agenda. If we doubt because of our presumption or lack of kingdom focus that is one thing, but doubting that God will hear or answer is another. God hears and God is always able. He has ordained our prayers as the means of our transformation and blessing.
Lord, I pray too often in a shroud of doubt. Perhaps it stems at times from my own failings and fear of being rejected because I don’t deserve to be heard. Perhaps it is true because I haven’t known how to see your answers. Too many reasons for me to doubt! So I pray as the father did, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
