Help my unbelief!

I recently read a small booklet on "You can have living faith" published by the United church of God. The booklet covered the definition of faith, why many lack faith, examples of living faith, enemies of faith, growing in faith and others.

As I devoured the small booklet, enjoying every bit of it, I found myself stuck on the 'Growing in faith' section, and it has since refused to let go off me. This is with particular reference to the story of the father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus to heal him. (Mark 9:14-29):

May the Lord strengthen your faith as you read this piece. Amen

After the father had narrated his plight and the ordeal of his son to Jesus, he asks Jesus: "....But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."-Mark 9:22b. Jesus replied him: "...“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”"-Mark 9:23.

On hearing this from Jesus, the father realised that all things are possible- including the healing of his son, if he could only believe. What struck and touched me so much in this story was the fact that immediately he realised this, tears started rolling down his eyes because he knew that his faith to receive the healing of his son was weak. That all he now needed at that point was the strengthening of his faith to believe that all things are possible- including the healing of his son; and in his anguish and tears he cried out to Christ for his most urgent need at that moment: “...Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”-Mark 9:24b                           

I have learnt from that story that the key to believing God for receiving the seemingly impossible and miraculous reports in difficult and challenging times when I am weak in faith is to cry out like that father to the Lord for my most urgent need at that moment- the strengthening of my faith: "Lord, I believe in You; help my unbelief- strengthen my faith to obtain what you have promised- good reports".

Jesus had to pray for Peter before he denied Him that his faith would be strengthen: "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail;"- Luke 22:31-32

Below are some excerpts from the book:

"Don't be discouraged if you think you lack faith. Sometimes people who profess belief in God are deeply ashamed when a crisis occurs and they find their faith is weak. This may happen to you. But don't despair. The Bible shows that even men and women of powerful faith struggled at times with faith-testing challenges.

The Bible relates their anguish as they wrestled with their trials. Hebrews 11:34 tells us that: "out of weakness [they] were made strong..." These men and women grew in faith through the crucible of challenges and-at times-setbacks and failures. Many other men and women of the Bible who professed faith in God cried out when their belief wavered in difficult times.

We need go to God asking for His help to build a loving, trusting, faithful relationship with Him that will enable us to endure such trials."                                     

Comments

[lili lim]

Thanks for this post!
My faith often waver when it comes to difficult times that I keep having doubts. I'll continue to pray and believe in God that He will help strengthen my faith.

[Eja Parsa]

thanks, i just needed this..