I Believe

When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. 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.’ And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 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.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!’ After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 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.’ Mark 9:14-29

A parent never wants to have a sick child, particularly one who is chronically ill.  As a parent and a grandparent, we want all the best for our children and never want them to suffer. As a child, I remember to this day, my father sitting in the window of my hospital room, crying and praying. I was so moved by his care. And as my children were growing up there were many times I found myself on my knees praying and weeping. In this times of great grief and sorrow, we are invited to believe, believing beyond the physical evidence and, and despite the worries of the hour. 

Wondrous Creator, we are made in your image

beloved and wanted as part of your family,

you hold us, you heal us and redirect us

holding us through the hours of weeping and fear.

Like the disciples we are often discouraged

we think you do not hear our prayers anymore

we forget to stoke up our faith and trust in you

and we walk away as if you have abandoned us.

Lord, help our unbelief and our weary despair

restore our vision of your loving community

help us to never give up on praying without ceasing

so the world might know your love here again. Amen.