The Power is not in the Prayer but in the One Who hears it.
I can’t even begin to fathom this father’s suffering watching his son’s anguish and suffering since he was a young child. While other parents watch their children grow up and play with other children, this desperate father was trying to keep his son alive.
According to Mark 9, this boy had been subjected to this evil spirit attempts to kill him by throwing him into fires and water since he was a young child. The father was likely exhausted and desperate for help. And what did he do? He cried out to Jesus in desperation. “If you can do something for him, please have pity on us and help us.”
What a simple yet powerful prayer. This prayer didn’t begin with “Since…” but rather “If” (a tense that implies doubt).
Perhaps this poor father thought his son’s situation was beyond Jesus’ reach. But, if Jesus could do something, his son would get better.
But noticed how Jesus responded, “If I can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark tells us that upon hearing Jesus’ words, the father replied, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:23 NIV)
Have you ever prayed such a desperate prayer like this? I have many times. But I have learned that God listens to all our prayers, especially those borne from our deepest sorrows.
C.S. Lewis once said, “We must lay before Him what is in us, not what out to be in us.” Beloved, God doesn’t judge our prayers or expect us to have fancy and eloquent prayers. All He wants is for us to unveil our hearts to Him.
The power is not in the prayer but in the One who listens.
Beloved, God does not judge our prayers or demand that they be elaborate or eloquent. He only asks that we reveal our hearts to him. It’s not about our accomplishments or how many verses we memorize. It’s about the One spoken of in the Scriptures.
The power is not in the prayer but in the One who hears it.
Heavenly Father, you know my heart, pain, and sorrows before I speak to you. Thank you for your unconditional love, mercy, and grace. When my heart is drowning with doubts and fear, help me remember that you are with me, carrying me through my storms. And help me overcome any doubts I may have. In Jesus’ name, amen!
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Celeste Almodovar-Caporusso
I have often asked the Lord if writing is His calling in my life; after all, I'm a teacher, not a writer. Through the Book of Luke, in the New Testament, the Lord taught me that Luke had no idea that his study would ever impact our life. He wrote for the One, his friend, Theophilus. Yet, God used Luke, a doctor, to share the truth about Who Jesus was and why He came. So, why do I write? I write to share the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done in my life.
One Comment
Sharon
“The power is not in the prayer but in the One who listens.” I love that, Sister… so well said!
And what a comfort to know our Father not only listens, but He also moves with compassion on our behalf. He doesn’t merely observe our problems from afar; but He works on our behalf behind the scenes.
Your lovely devotional reminds me of Hebrews 4:15 which says: “For we do not have a high priest Who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
“…touched with the feeling…” Isn’t that a precious truth? Our Savior not only “knows” about our heartache, but He also “feels” our pain? This is a much deeper level of intimacy, empathy, and compassion than simply knowing about our problems. What a friend we have in Jesus!