Day 32 - Help my Unbelief - More of Jesus Devotional

Help my unbelief!

Rachel Hanson

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

This plea to Jesus to increase faith is one of my favorite verses, one that is quick to come to my mind and heart in times of need. It is such an honest, vulnerable confession and prayer.

The man has come to Jesus asking for healing for his mute son. He already asked the disciples for help, but they were unable to perform the healing. The man begins his request to Jesus by saying, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us,” to which Jesus replies, “If you can believe, all things are possible” (Mark 9:22-23). Jesus makes it clear that He can complete the healing, can and will perform miracles–when we believe. We just need a little faith, and all things become possible. When our small faith begets miracles, our faith grows and we believe in the possibility of more and bigger miracles. And when we believe, those become possible, and our faith grows. And the cycle continues.

At the end of the story, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why did it work for You, but not for us?” Jesus answers, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (9:29). Prayer and fasting are two of the best known spiritual disciplines. Bill Donohue, on Bible.org, gives a great overview of the spiritual disciplines and refers to the works of Dallas Willard and Richard Foster. Donohue explains that the disciplines are “modeled in the life of Christ” and “organized into two categories: the disciplines of abstinence (or ‘letting go’) and the disciplines of activity.” Here, Jesus mentions the need for both. Engaging in these disciplines helps us to know Jesus better and gives us more power in His name. A disciplined life should have some of both - responsible abstinence and a commitment to spiritual activity.

Questions:

When is a time when your small or unbelief became increased or full belief?

Common spiritual disciplines include prayer, Bible reading, fasting, worship, service, giving, quiet time with God, and simplicity. What discipline is Jesus calling you to in order to draw you closer to Him?