But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”  And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:22-24

It’s easy to be skeptical that God can handle the really big problems of life when you’re living through them. But when the situation gets intolerable we’re likely to throw a “Hail Mary” pass his way anyway.

Turning to God in times of crisis is not in and of itself belief. Turning to him at the end of your rope may be one last act of desperation.

Here (Mark 9:14-29) no one could contend with an “unclean spirit” in a young boy, apparently one of the highest order. Turns out according to Jesus that only prayer would work in this case.

But here’s the point: the real question with Jesus is not “if God can” but “if God will!”

In any of life’s dramas, there are two prayers to be offered, for relief and to “help my unbelief.”

We all need to get into our thick skulls that with people things are impossible, but with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27

This includes outcomes that we might not think are good and profitable for us. Jesus well understood this concept, i.e. the Cup, and were glad he did.

And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36