When Faith for the Moment is NOT Enough

S - Mark 9:16-19,21-23,28-29 (NRSV): "He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so." He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." … Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes." … When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer.""

O - There is no doubt that doubt is a big problem for the human race. In the immediacy of this post transfiguration event, the need for faith, even mustard seed sized faith, is strongly affirmed. This needed miracle was clearly within the realm of possibility for the disciples and for the father of the boy and for the crowd surrounding them. The Lord's rebuke is strong and his displeasure is not in the sinful condition or critical needs people have but in our faithlessness. "All things can be done for the one who believes." Even the dad's struggle with doubt does not prevent the miracle as he engages the faith he does have. All this said, the disciples ask further into the mystery of their inability to "deliver." They had obviously attempted which would indicate some level of faith for this act to be accomplished. Yet, they were unable to do what their faith assured them could be done. No only so, but we know that they'd been successful in the deliverance, healing, raising the dead activities for prior to this event they’d returned to report such to the Lord. They ask him why and he answers.

Their inability was not about no faith but how faith works in the daily and non-emergency times of life. The rescue of the boy was not dependent on the Lord's deity - Jesus' dialogue with the group and with the disciples in private make this point very clear. Jesus identifies that one of the real evidences of faith is revealed in our prayer lives. The faith Jesus highlights for the healing of the boy is not about the moment or even the possibility but all about the expression of faith in prayer. Apparently, it is not about the faith and prayer of the moment but all about the faith and prayer in cadence day by day. Jesus' answer coupled with the fact that he didn't ask the dad to wait awhile while he went off to pray only serves to emphasize the point. How many times did the Lord send "the boys" ahead so he could stay and pray. He is often up before them all at prayer. And in the garden, they fall asleep while he, in prayer, falls under the load and at the Father's feet. Even when Jesus knows the answer is no -- he still prays, he still asks according to the greatness of his Father. I'm still wondering if in heaven we're rewarded for how we asked rather than just how we received:).

A - My now 56 year old life has been through many seasons. In these seasons my prayer life has fluctuated. I don't think that this is all bad and I don't think that volume alone is the only indicator. We're not heard for the greatness (volume) of our words and yet we can say as much as we want to. I do believe that a part of prayer life is the Lord taking our requests as seriously as we do as evidenced by our prayers (Luke 18). I also believe that pouring out my heart in prayer makes room for him to pour in what is needed. Also, prayer is one of the ways we can draw near and stay near his person … it really is me making myself loving present to the God and King who is everywhere. With all these many words the application for me is to be growing in my prayer life day by day (not always measureable but always active). Faith is more than what I am willing to believe the Lord for at a moments' notice; it includes what I am willing to give my time and attention to day by day. I want to be someone he can count on for the kind who won't come out except by prayer.

P - Lord who prayed and who taught us to pray,

I admit my need to grow in prayer, to contend in prayer and to live out a prayer life which is essential to the faith that makes you glad (pleases you - Hebrews 11). With more of the 'I never been this way before' territory in front of me, many moments will be thrust upon me and in them all I want to believe you -- to have and use the faith that you commend, the faith that moves mountains and can be as small as a mustard seed. Apparently, I won't always know what "kind" of faith is required … the immediate or the seasoned faith. Either way, prayer remains essential. So, in my routine, the cadence of my daily life, help me find the way forward to be with you in prayer more and more. I need spirit help, Lord. My spirit remains willing and my flesh is not only weak but often resistant. My history is a contradiction … more time spent praying does not always equal more answers or less resistance or more power. Nevertheless, I do thank you for your decision to make prayer count … it is your mechanism of grace to which you have committed yourself. I make myself lovingly present to you and say … teach me your ways O Lord and lead me in a straight path. Let me know the pleasure of your company and the delight of your work on earth as it happens in heaven. Lord, I turn to you the face and ask, shape me in your image; use me in your plan and purpose; let me be a living stone and a living word and a living sacrifice to you and to others. I welcome you and your promises from a far. My answer is yes! Lord I believe, help my unbelief!

Even so come, Lord Jesus,

Steve