Mark 9:14-32
Jesus had just been encouraged by God on a mountaintop, and three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—had been allowed to watch. The disciples saw the power and glory of God in Jesus as never before. They saw Jesus’ clothing become dazzling white. They saw Moses and Elijah, prophets of Israel from ancient times, talking with Jesus. They heard words from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). The impact of all this was overwhelming.
But when they came down the mountain, the disciples faced a problem. A troubled father had brought his demon-possessed son for healing, but the disciples who had stayed behind were powerless. They cannot drive it out. The evil spirit made the boy unable to hear or speak, and it threw him to the ground grinds his teeth. The father of the boy, was so desperate. The disciples couldn’t help, but they turn to Jesus.
“Bring the boy to me,” said Jesus, and he commanded the spirit to leave and never return. The spirit shook the boy violently, and came out. Jesus lifted the boy to his feet, and the boy stood up.
“Why couldn’t we do that?” the disciples later asked.
When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast the troubling spirit out, Jesus was clear that they had not prayed. They had depended on themselves to help this boy, when Jesus wanted them to depend on him.
Then Jesus taught them a great lesson about prayer, it shows dependence on God not on oneself. Which calls for faith in the power of God. Power doesn’t reside in the person praying or in the act of praying itself. Power comes from God through faith in Jesus.
Music for the Soul 