Jesus said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Mark 9:29, ESV
A young boy afflicted with a demon. The disciples were unable to cast the demon out of the boy. A father questioning the ability of Jesus. The disciples asked why they could not cast out the demon to Jesus. Our Lord answers that it can only be done with prayer. Prayer is the most powerful tool our Lord has given to us, yet, we often leave it as the last resort. So often, the words that come out of a person’s mouth are, “The least I can do is pray.” The least I can do? I would be lying if I said those words have never been spoken by me in the past. All I can say is that I repent. I often forget to put this first because the worldly mindset likes to take over and say, “I got this!” That DIY mentality kicking in. Yet, here we are with these words as a staunch reminder from our Lord. The disciples were also guilty of this, and Jesus also called them out for it. How often are the people in the Bible accused of being faithless? Yet, how are we really that different from them? It is convicting, yet also freeing. Freeing because our Lord gives us an opportunity to do things differently. He doesn’t walk away from the disciples, so why should we expect any less of Him for us? When we fail and fall short, we know that we can come to our Lord in prayer, humbly ask for His forgiveness, and confidently know that He gives it to us fully. All we are called to do is pray.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.