Sermon for July 31, 2005

This is the last sermon I preached before we began traveling. I didn't preach at Livonia at all in August and that is the longest period I have been out of the pulpit in the past five years. I am looking forward preaching this coming Sunday.

Weak Prayer
Mark 9:14-29

Introduction: One thing that almost everyone does is to compare themselves to others. Certain people set a standard that everyone else is held up to. This past week Lance Armstrong set a new record of seven Tour de France victories; something that some say will never be equaled. Basketball players are compared to Michael Jordan. We do that spiritually also. Sometimes it is a measure of progress to become like someone. Other times it becomes a source of spiritual pride.
Last week we looked at an example of strong faith and answered prayer. But today’s lesson is about weak prayer, weak faith. I think I can relate more to the father in this lesson today than I can the centurion of last week.
I. Welcome to the Circus
The story is a picture of confusion. Jesus, Peter, James and John are coming down from the mountain where Jesus was changed and the disciples saw his true nature, his glory. They come upon a scene where a large crowd has gathered not to be taught, but because a show is going on. The other disciples have tried to heal this boy who has convulsions and have failed. They are arguing with the teachers of the law and it is probably not a pretty sight. Then Jesus arrives and things get more exciting. You can almost hear people shouting comments and questions at Jesus. The disciples have to speak loudly to be heard. And in the midst of this is a father with a sick child.
We can only imagine what it must have been like for the father. As a father he had to be constantly on guard to keep his child from hurting or even killing himself. The constant concern and worry would have been wearing and discouraging. He had brought his child to see Jesus and had met the disciples instead. He had come hoping against hope that his child could be made well. Parents love their children and suffer when their children suffer. We know this because many of us are parents and we understand even if our child has not been in this situation.
II. Jesus and a Father
In the midst of this circus Jesus encounters this troubled father whose hopes have been dashed again. Jesus asks a question, “What are you arguing with them about?” He asks this of his disciples but before they can answer this father interrupts with his problem and the disciples’ failure.
Jesus’ response conveys a sense of tired frustration. This is taking place at least two years into his ministry. The words, “unbelieving generation” is directed as much to the disciples as it is to the father and the crowd. The boy is brought to Jesus and is immediately attacked by the demon. The father cries out, “If you can do anything have pity on us and help us.” The words are filled with doubt, “If you can” are words that say this is probably beyond your ability but do what you can. After all any improvement would be welcome.
“If you can.” How different that is from the faith of the centurion we looked at last week. It says I don’t know if you are who you claim to be. I don’t know if you have the power to help me, but have mercy and do what you can.
Jesus answer, “Everything is possible for him who believes,” is met with a cry, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Most of us live here don’t we, the twilight zone between belief and unbelief. We struggle hoping that God will have mercy, that God will help us, help our child, and help our neighbor. We suffer, we worry, and we are burdened with anxiety because we don’t know what will happen. I believe, I want to believe but I am full of doubt and uncertainty.
This makes for weak prayer doesn’t it. In fact it is so weak we wonder why we bother because how can God hear such weak prayer as we have to offer? We don’t pray out of great faith but instead it is a faith that stumbles around in the dark bumping into things that make us cry out in pain.
III. The Answer
The end of the story is that the boy is healed. But the disciples are troubled. “Why couldn’t we cast out the demon?” Jesus answers, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” Have you ever tried to pray in a circus? Have you ever tried to pray while you were arguing with someone? The disciples were trying to do the right thing but they lost their focus, they got distracted.
Jesus doesn’t pray in this story. We might say he prayed before. After all he was coming down from a period of retreat on a mountain. But still, where is the prayer that caused this demon to leave?
There is a prayer in this passage. It is hidden and a bit hard to see because it is a very weak prayer. The prayer is, “If you can anything, take pity on us and help us.” It is a prayer of desperation and weakness filled with doubt. It is offered in hopelessness not hope. Yet it is heard and it is answered.
We sometimes think that our prayers are answered when we get that faith battery charged up, when we can get the words right and the intensity up. But the truth is God can answer the weakest pray. God answers not because of our prayer, though I do believe we need to pray, need to ask in order to receive. He answers because he is God.
I don’t know why that little boy had to suffer the way he did. I don’t know why God answers some prayers almost instantaneously and others seem to take forever. But the answer doesn’t depend on us, or our faith, it depends on God.
Sometimes weak prayer is all we have to offer, it is all we are capable of. We need to offer that prayer because God hears. God isn’t limited by our doubts and fears. He does want us to believe, he will help us with our unbelief.


Livonia Church of Christ: July 31, 2005