All Nations Community Church · Leeds
Pray honestly when a long struggle has worn down your hope.
The father in Mark 9 brings both need and incomplete faith to Jesus. He does not have to hide his uncertainty to ask for help. Sarah’s story also directs attention to God’s power when human expectations are limited. Bring the difficulty before God, asking for his help while remaining open to the form his answer may take.
Read and reflect on Scripture
Read slowly and consider each passage in its biblical setting. The full Bible passages are included here to help you stay with the guide.
Genesis 18:14
World English Bible British Edition
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.”
The promise in this verse concerns Sarah and Abraham. It reveals God’s power without giving us authority to promise the same outcome to everyone.
Mark 9:14–29
World English Bible British Edition
14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them.
15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him.
16 He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”
17 One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;
18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”
19 He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
21 He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?” He said, “From childhood.
22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
26 After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.”
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose.
28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”
29 He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”
The whole scene is printed here so the father’s prayer remains connected with the encounter, Jesus’ response and the disciples’ question.
Mark 16:14
World English Bible British Edition
14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table; and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
This verse is within Mark’s longer ending, included in this edition. Some translations note manuscript differences concerning Mark 16:9–20.
Ask for help with the situation you actually face
Write the problem without turning it into a verdict about the rest of your life. Then divide a page into what needs prayer, what needs information and what needs practical help. These concerns can belong in the same conversation with God. If you are caring for someone, ask who can share a responsibility or offer skilled support. Mark’s account describes a particular encounter with Jesus; it should not be used to diagnose another person’s symptoms or to blame them for an unanswered request. Hope can include a changed outcome, strength to continue, wise treatment, companionship and a new understanding of the next step.
Four prayer starters
Use these prayers as a starting point, then add words of your own.
Perception
What am I noticing?
Jesus, help me look beyond the worst conclusion I have drawn and recognise the help available today.
Process
How am I understanding it?
Father, receive my mixed faith and teach me to distinguish a real difficulty from a final verdict.
Purpose
What matters before God?
God, sustain my love for those I am caring for and renew my willingness to seek support.
Path
What is my next faithful step?
Lord, help me ask clearly, receive appropriate help and take the next wise step while I wait. Amen.
Put it into practice today
- Write the concern in one factual sentence, naming what you know and what remains uncertain.
- Pray the father’s request in Mark 9:24, then add your own words about the situation.
- Identify one practical source of support, such as a trusted friend, pastoral conversation or suitable professional.
- Choose one task you can share or one action that could reduce the immediate burden.
- Record genuine encouragement and remaining questions without demanding that every event prove a miracle.
Questions for reflection or a small group
- Which part of this difficulty has become a prediction that nothing can change?
- What support or information am I still missing?
- What can I ask God for honestly today?
Discuss the Bible and the questions at your own pace. Sharing personal experiences is optional.
Continue with related ANCC guides
We can pray with you
You can ask for prayer or speak with someone about faith and the questions you are carrying.