Believe and Pray

10. February 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Today, we want to finish our story about the man who brought his son to Jesus and the disciples could not cast the demon out.  I will be using the remote context which is found in Mark.  Remember, remote context simply means when the story that you are studying has another source.  Our Matthew text has a remote source in both Luke and Mark.  We will be looking at the Mark account. 

Here is the text:

Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

The story ended on yesterday when Jesus tells the man that if he can believe all things are possible.  The man responds by saying; “Lord, I believe but help thou my unbelief. 

Our text picks up today with Jesus rebuking the evil spirit out of the boy identifying it as a deaf and mute spirit.  Jesus tells the demon not only to come out but to never enter into him again.  The boy will never have to revisit this demon again.   Deliverance is complete.   Once the Lord delivers us from something, we never have to revisit it again.     The demon caused convulsions to come over the boy violently and came out.   The boy’s body was still as a corpse and the spectators even thought that the child was dead.  Jesus took the boy by his hand and lifted him to his feet.

Later on when Jesus went inside the disciples asked him privately as to why they could not cast out the demon.   Jesus responded that “Somebody should have prayed “or that this kind can come out only by prayer.   Earlier in the opening of this text, we remember that the disciples were arguing with the religious leaders as to why they could not cast out the demon.  Instead of fighting, instead of engaging in theological debates as to why things are not happening, Jesus said they should have been praying.  

Sometimes, we can spend so much time trying to figure out what’s wrong even resulting in hot tempered debates.   Prayer is the answer.   I believe Prayer changes things.  I believe God directs, guides, encourages and strengthens through prayer.   I believe God answers prayer.  I believe Prayer helps us to stay focused and helps us to believe and not doubt. 

Why could we not do it?  …………………   Somebody should have prayed.

Be encouraged today.    I listen to President Obama’s first press conference on yesterday and I watched as he stated that things were going to get worse before they get better and that he did not anticipate any significant changes on this year but results being seen in 2010.   Let’s pray and watch God change things.   God can heal this nation.    If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then shall we hear from heaven and God will heal the land.

Please know that God promises that his people would be satisfied in a famine.   Let’s pray and believe.   PRAY AND BELIEVE.

Stay encouraged!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All is well…….   Everything is Safe and Everything is as it Should be….

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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