Do you pray bold prayers as the spiritual leader of your household? Most husbands and fathers don’t. In the ninth chapter of Mark, we read the story of Jesus healing a boy with an unclean spirit. The boy’s father had already asked Jesus’ disciples to heal his son, but they could not. So, the father comes to Jesus and says in verse 22, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” – Mark 9:22-23

Trust God

Do you hear the seed of doubt in the man’s voice, “But, if you can?” He had seen Jesus’ followers fail at his request, which would have had the effect of dashing his hopes for his son and believing the unclean spirit was more powerful than he suspected.

Jesus replies, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” Jesus could have pointed out the man’s doubtful statement, “if you can.” After all, He had recently fed five thousand, walked on water, healed untold sick, lame, and blind. But rather than school him, Jesus gives the man hope by declaring, “All things are possible for one who believes.”

Hearing Jesus’ words, the man cries out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” The cry of a desperate, loving father shows he would do anything for his son.

You can’t help but feel his emotion as he says, “I do believe! Heal, my son! But if I still have doubt, Jesus, I need your help to believe!” This father was not about to allow his lack of faith to be the stumbling block to his son’s restoration as he threw off his pride and shouted out in front of the crowd, “I believe!” We are not told how familiar he was with Jesus of Nazareth, but if believing was the ticket, he was all in!

Pray Bold Prayers

How about you? As the head of the household, are you allowing doubt to keep your family from experiencing God’s loving touch? Are you facing work or internal issues that are hindering you from “being there” for your wife? Maybe you like to try everything else first before coming to his throne?

Jesus is not wasting his breath when he says, “All things are possible to one who believes,” or, “Ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you,” John 11:22. He is letting us know how the father works.

God’s word also says, “You have not because you ask not,” James 4:2. Jesus is informing us that when we believe that God can ‘do all things,’ we can ask him in faith that he will do it because of his character and track record. Not to mention the fact that he tells us he will! Pray bold prayers!

One last thing about believing God will give us what we ask… Because of who we are in Christ, bought with a price, a royal priesthood, the temple of the Holy Spirit, God expects us to ask for things like his son; that which is sure to give glory to our father. Thus, our prayers should begin and end with, “Not my will, but yours.”

Author: Martin Kamps

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