“Help Me Have More Faith”

Imagine being one of the disciples in this story. A desperate father pleads with you to free his son from the demon who is destroying his life. You remember Jesus gave you the authority to do exactly this (Mark 6:7). “I’ll do my best,” you say, as you copy what you’ve seen Jesus do. But the evil spirit stays put. You feel terrible. What went wrong?

Jesus’ response is clear: “You people don’t have any faith! Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” It’s easy to hear these words and think the faith Jesus is talking about is the kind of faith an Olympic athlete might have: the power to imagine winning, to picture yourself crossing the finish line, to say with unwavering certainty, “I can do this!” Many of us think Jesus is expecting us to muster up this kind of confidence.

But Jesus’ final words in this story say something different: “Only prayer can force out that kind of demon” (v 29, CEV). The kind of faith Jesus is talking about is not about the power of positive thinking. It’s a simple faith in the power of God. It’s the understanding that we are children of God, transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit, with access to the same power that Jesus has. It’s not our power. We need to humbly come to the Father, and ask him to release his power, knowing that we’re totally dependent on him.

There’s a challenge here, for us. To depend more fully on God, while at the same time being bold enough to ask for miracles. There’s also an encouragement. When our faith wavers, we can cry out to Jesus just as the boy’s father did: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Respond in Prayer

All-powerful God, You are a wonder-working, merciful God. My own prayers can be sporadic and small. Teach me to come to you in humility and in boldness, so that I can participate in your miracles here on earth—for your glory and kingdom. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Leonard Buhler