The dad was desperate. The qualified professionals could not do anything for his son who was in a really bad way.
I can relate. How 'bout you?
The Master arrived on the scene, heard the hubbub and inquired, "What's all the commotion?"
They were in a true-to-life horror movie; they needed an exorcist. The dad laments, "My son is mute, has seizures. I think he's possessed. Sometimes the demon pitches him into a fire or river to do away with him! If you can do anything, have a heart and help us!"
"If ?!” Retorts the Master, “Everything is possible for the one who believes." (Because belief— having faith—is trust in the All-Powerful God of the Universe.)
The quick-with-a-comeback dad replies, "I do believe. Help me with my incredulity!"
Jesus delivers and completely heals the boy.
Here is the introspective process that the Holy Spirit recently took me through to help me, a believer, with my incredulity.
When I pray, do I believe that God will do something? Or…
When I pray, is it a religious exercise that I perform without really expecting anything from my relationship God?When I pray, is there anticipation? Because God the Father loves me, His child, …
… that He will respond to my prayer as requested.
Or, that He will give me the strength to endure the situation.
Or, that He will surprise me by doing something of which I never dreamed.
Possibly He will respond in the next ten minutes.
Possibly He will respond ten years from now.
But do I really anticipate a response—in His way according to His agenda—because of the filial relationship that I enjoy with the Father in Christ?
To evaluate whether my praying is simply a religious exercise or done in faith, this test of relational expectation is helping me. Thought I would share the wealth.
