We can bring both our faith and our doubt to Jesus in the same breath.
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”Mark 9:24 (KJV)
What does “Help my unbelief” mean in Mark 9:24?
A father whose son was suffering asks Jesus for help. When Jesus says that all things are possible to those who believe, the father cries out that he believes and asks for help with his unbelief.
Going deeper
The father had tried everything. When Jesus told him that all things are possible to him that believeth, the man was honest. Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. It is one of the most honest prayers in Scripture. He does not pretend to have perfect faith. He does not give up because his faith is imperfect. He offers what he has and asks for more.
Jesus did not scold him. He healed his son. Many of us feel that we need to have all our doubts settled before we can pray. This verse says otherwise. You can pray with a mixture of faith and doubt. Say it plainly: I believe, and I do not fully believe. Ask Him to help. He has patience for honest questions, and He answers people who come to Him with tears and mixed feelings.
Reflect
Where do your faith and doubt mix, and could you pray that honestly today?
Pray
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Take my small faith and my doubts, and strengthen me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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