When faith is feeble, a prayer to pray

A few words with enormous implications

Author

Nathan Harrison
October 19th, 2022

"...help my unbelief!"

Most people make the same false assumption: they think God requires perfect faith for us to approach Him.

It's a costly assumption. It misses out on the help that's readily available. It misses out on the relationship we need most. And it misses the potential to grow the very thing God loves to respond to: faith in Him.

If you've been reluctant to approach God, consider a few words from the mouth of a man with a possessed son: "Help my unbelief!"

It acknowledges our reality

Faith and unbelief can often be found in the same heart.

The man with the possessed son pointed to a war within him: "I do believe; help my unbelief!" There's an attrition of the soul that takes place wherever these two co-exist. If faith is not strengthened, the soul grows weary and is ground down.

To note the presence of unbelief is to wisely surrender to the reality that we remain in need, dependent for provision beyond ourselves.

It acknowledges His character

We love to think we have all the solutions to all of our problems.

But when it comes to faith? The author of Hebrews reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus - not on ourselves - as the author and finisher (or perfecter) of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). And why? The author goes on to remind us to consider Jesus, who endured hostility from sinners, so that we won't grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:3).

To utter "help my unbelief" is to rightly assert and affirm that God is the provider and protector of our lives - even at the level of faith.

It gives new eyes to our situation

The conversation between Jesus and the man who asked for help with his unbelief is one to pay attention to:

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Mark 9:21-23

Notice how well-acquainted this man was with the brokenness of his situation. At the same time, his "if you can do anything" reveals his shallow knowledge of just what Jesus could do. I suspect we're much the same when it comes to many of life's troubles: we know concretely the specifics of our troubles, but have only a foggy notion of Jesus' work.

To ask for help with unbelief is to become more attuned to Jesus' working in the situation in front of us.

It transforms a confessed weakness into our Savior's help

Of all the shortcomings of the church, perhaps this is the most glaring: our reluctance to confess our weakness of faith.

I'd much rather show no cracks in my faith. I'd rather operate from my supposed strength. I'd rather carry faith for others. Sometimes it happens - sometimes.

But the sure way to victory? Enlisting our Savior's help - not just at the level of our external situation - but internally at the level of our soul.

Over and over in Scripture, it's those with little - the spiritually poor - that God responds to. Think about it:

A mustard seed of faith moves mountains.

A widow's mite was greater than all the other offerings.

Five loaves and two fish fed multitudes.

And a few words reach His heart: "Help my unbelief!"

Until next week,

Nathan