Tuesday, March 12th
Author: Joseph Velarde
Church: Riverbend Church

Mark 9:14-29
We can all relate to the heartache and heartbreak of this father longing for his son to experience healing. What parent wouldn’t want that for their child? In his first year of life, my son had several medical procedures. Every single time the medical team would take him for testing or an operation, it was difficult for me. I didn’t want him to experience pain of any kind. It was always hard to hand him over, but it was by trusting him to their care that healing could take place.

In much the same way, the father in this passage is entrusting the healing of his son to another. He said his son had been like this since childhood. In other words, this has been a part of their reality for many years. We all have struggles and pain that we have been battling for a long time. We all want to see breakthroughs in our lives. What area in your life do you feel currently stuck? Where do you feel like nothing seems to be happening, no movement or change? What can we do about it?

Jesus says that He is looking for those who trust that all things are possible with Him. This man shows us great humility when he prays, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” That is a prayer worth praying.

Where in your life do you doubt that God is able to do the impossible? I have been able to watch God show up and show off, even when it looked like He wasn’t going to.

When I look at my almost 3-year-old son Ray, I am reminded of the prayers my wife and I prayed for him. It took us over 4 years to get pregnant and we thought God didn’t have a child for us. However, He was doing a deeper work in us during the waiting time. He doesn’t always give us what we want, but He does give good gifts. May we always pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

The type of breakthroughs we long for in our lives won’t come without a deep dependence on God. This is why Jesus told his disciples that when we pray and fast, we tap into a power source that is greater than our own.

As we are in the season of Lent, this is a perfect time to give up something you enjoy for Someone you enjoy more. What will you fast from during this season? It could be social media, Netflix, or sweets. Let these cravings be filled by drawing closer to Jesus, the true source of all comfort and joy. Every time you have a craving, cry out to God in prayer just as Jesus did. What bold prayer will you pray? What breakthroughs are you longing for in your life and the lives of those close to you?

As we prepare for Easter, and we desire to see our life and the lives of others changed, let’s boldly come to Him with the belief that God can do the impossible.