The Most Powerful Prayer In The Bible

When our children were young, they would ask me to grab their hands and swing them around in circles, feet flying up in the air. It’s a pretty typical dad/hero move, and it came to mind when I read Mark 9 this morning. 

Jesus hears his disciples arguing with a crowd that is apparently upset because they were unable to heal a boy with an unclean spirit. He then describes the swelling mess as an unbelieving generation, and “generation” here means a whole people group. It’s a broad indictment that includes his disciples. After some back and forth, Jesus tells the father that this healing is possible if he believes, and the father then responds, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 

At this point, things start happening very quickly. The crowd rushes toward them, so before it gets crazy, Jesus casts the demon out, helps the boy to his feet, and then leaves. It feels like bringing in a relief pitcher who throws nine strikes and then walks off the mound.

Later, Jesus explains to his disciples that they were unable to help the boy because “this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Here’s the thing: Jesus never prayed. Things were too chaotic, so he just went to work. But someone did pray, and most of us have already forgotten who it was. The father cried the most perfect, gospel-centered prayer in the Bible. I believe just the tiniest bit, so please help me. My very best is not enough. I’ll throw it in the pot, but I need you to be the fire that cooks the stew. 

When our kids asked me to swing them, I would always tell them to hold on tightly. Of course, they could never hold tight enough; it was my grip that kept them safe, but I wanted them to hold on still. That’s the prayer that Jesus draws out of this father: “I’m holding on, but I need you to hold me more.” We’re not allowed to be passive in our faith—exertion is a requirement, but we remain in complete dependence on His holding on to us. This is the gospel: “It is the power of God for salvation.”

So, what should we do about this right now? One thing: ask Jesus to show you where you need Him desperately. Write it down because we’re all famous for forgetting. Then look for the power of the gospel because that’s where it explodes.